miR-15a-5p suppresses endometrial cancer cell growth via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by inhibiting WNT3A

Z.-M. Wang, X.-H. Wan, G.-Y. Sang, J.-D. Zhao, Q.-Y. Zhu, D.-M. Wang

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China. dongmeiwang001@163.com

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• Radiology

OBJECTIVE: Endometrial cancer is one of the three most common types of gynecologic cancer. The global incidence has increased in recent years. microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate numerous biological processes by binding to the 3’UTR of target mRNA to down-regulate protein synthesis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Endometrial cancer patients received surgeries in our hospital were enrolled. MiR-15a-5p mimic or miR-15a-5p inhibitor was transfected into HEC-1-A cells by lentivirus. Colony formation assay was applied for detecting cell proliferation. Real-time PCR was performed to test miRNA and mRNA expression. Western blot was used to detect protein level. ChIP was adopted to test transcription activation. TOP/FOP was tested to determine Wnt signaling pathway activity. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm miRNA target.

RESULTS: miR-15a-5p was decreased in endometrial cancer cells and tissues. miR-15a-5p overexpression restrained HEC-1-A cell proliferation and stemness. miR-15a-5p mimic transfection reduced mRNA and protein levels of the proteins which are related to cell proliferation and Wnt signaling pathway. MiR-15a-5p targeted a putative binding site in the 3’-UTR of Wnt3a gene, thus regulating Wnt signaling pathway. miR-15a-5p overexpression decreased Wnt3a protein expression. Wnt3a presented significant negative correlation with the miR-15a-5p level in endometrial cancer patients.

CONCLUSIONS: miR-15a-5p is a regulator of endometrial cancer cell proliferation by directly targeting Wnt3a to block Wnt signaling pathway.

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