The effects and mechanism of MicroRNA-211 on epithelial mesenchymal transition function in ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells

WANG Jing; NIU Gang; MA Wen-sen; GONG Feng-qiu; TAN Jin-feng

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1001-9448.2017.13.001

Abstract：Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of the microRNA-211 (miR-211) on epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) in ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells.Methods SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cell lines were transfected with miR-211 mimics or negative control mimic in 211M or NCM group, respectively.Control group was established with untreated SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells.miR-211 content in each group was detected by RT-PCR method.Trans-well assay was used to detect the migration and invasion ability.Western-blot assay was used to detect the expression of Snail, α-Catenin and SOX4 proteins.Antagonistic effect of SOX4 over-expression on miR-211 inhibition of EMT was detected by western blot assay.The correlation between miR-211 and SOX4 was detected by dual luciferase assay.Results The expression of miR-211 in 211M group was significantly up-regulated, by 706.67±30.95 times higher than that in control group (P<0.05).The number of migrating cells in 211M group was 12.32±0.77, which was significantly lower than that in control group (82.25±1.05, P<0.05).The number of invasive cells in 211M group was 9.22±0.32, which was significantly lower than that of group control (62.10±1.77, P<0.05).Compared with control group, the expression of Snail and SOX4 proteins in 211M group was significantly reduced, while the expression of and α-Catenin protein was significantly increased.After SOX4 overexpression, the expression of Snail protein in 211M group was significantly increased, while the expression of α-Catenin protein was significantly reduced.Dual luciferase assay showed that SOX4 was a downstream target gene of miR-211 (P<0.05).Conclusion miR-211 may inhibit the expression of EMT related proteins targeting gene SOX4 and inhibit the EMT of ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells.