Tanshinol inhibits growth of malignant melanoma cells via regulating miR-1207-5p/CHPF pathway

Tanshinol possesses anti-tumor activity in melanoma both in vitro and in vivo, and miR-1207-5p is involved in tumor progression in melanoma. However, whether miR-1207-5p can be affected by tanshinol treatment in melanoma is not clear. The expression levels of miR-1207-5p were detected by RT-qPCR. The validation of the direct target of miR-1207-5p was through dual-luciferase reporter assay and western blotting assay. The cell viability rate was determined using MTT assay and colony formation assay. The cell mobility was assessed using Transwell migration/invasion assay. Downregulation of miR-1207-5p was found in melanoma cell lines and tissues and was associated with tumor stages, presence of ulceration, lymph node metastasis, and poor overall survival rate of melanoma patients. Tanshinol treatment and miR-1207-5p overexpression suppressed melanoma cell growth and cell mobility. Chondroitin polymerizing factor (CHPF) is a direct target of miR-1207-5p. Tanshinol exerted anti-tumor activity to melanoma through the regulation of miR-1207-5p/CHPF signaling. Our study highlighted the potential therapeutic application of tanshinol and miR-1207-5p as a supplement to enhance the effect of the traditional cancer treatment methods against melanoma.