Downregulation of miR‑30a is associated with proliferation and invasion via targeting MEF2D in cervical cancer

Abstract

Accumulating studies have revealed that microRNAs serve crucial roles in cancer development and progression. MicroRNA-30a (miR-30a) has been implicated in various cancer types. However, the role of miR-30a in cervical cancer remains unclear. In the current study, a reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay revealed that miR-30a was significantly downregulated in cervical cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues, and in the cervical cancer cell lines HeLa, SiHa and Ca-Ski compared with GH329 normal cervical epithelial cells. A functional assay using miR-30a mimic demonstrated that miR-30a could inhibit the growth and invasion of cervical cancer cells. Additionally, bioinformatics-based prediction and luciferase reporter assays indicated that <i>MEF2D</i> is a direct target of miR-30a. Transfection with miR-30a reduced the mRNA expression and protein levels of <i>MEF2D</i>, as determined using RT-qPCR and western blot analyses. Furthermore, <i>MEF2D</i> expression was negatively correlated with that of miR-30a in cervical cancers. Overall, the present study demonstrated that miR-30a functions as a tumor suppressor by targeting <i>MEF2D</i> in cervical cancer, which may provide the basis for a prognostic biomarker or therapeutic strategy for cervical cancer.