The Effect and Potential Mechanism of microRNA-124 on the Biological Behavior of Colon Cancer Cells.

OBJECTIVE:We aimed to investigate the expression of microRNA-124 (miR-124) in colon cancer and its biological function in colon cancer cells as well as its underlying mechanism. METHODS:Mimic miR-124 and unrelated sequence were transfected into colon cancer HT29 cells, and a blank control group was established with untreated HT29 cells. The expression of miR-124 in each group was detected by qRT-PCR. CCK-8 assay, cell scratch assay, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry were used to detect the effects of miR-124 on cell growth, invasion, migration, and apoptosis in HT29 cells. The expression of TET protein family and related protein was evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS:miR-124 expression was significantly downregulated in colon cancer HT29 cells (P<0.05). Overexpressed miR-124 suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and it promoted the apoptosis of HT29 cells. The significantly increased expression of TET family protein and the reduction of vimentin and MMP2 expression were seen in miR-124-transfected HT29 cells (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION:The expression of miR-124 inhibited cell proliferation, suppressed tumor cell migration and invasion, and enhanced apoptosis by its regulation of the expression of TET1, TET2, vimentin, and MMP-2 in colon cancer HT29 cells.