Analysis of miRNA–mRNA Network Reveals miR-140-5p as a Suppressor of Breast Cancer Glycolysis Via Targeting GLUT1

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b> Aerobic glycolysis is characteristic of breast cancer. Comprehensive expression profiles of key proteins, their prognosis and detailed relationships between miRNAs and mRNAs remain unclear. <b>Materials & methods:</b> Oncomine database, Kaplan-Meier overall survival and miRNA-mRNA network analysis were performed. A key miRNA was identified and explored <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>. <b>Results & conclusion:</b> Eleven key glycolytic proteins were found with higher expression and poor prognosis: GLUT1, SLC2A5, HK1, PFKP, ALDOA, TPI1, GAPDH, PGK1, ENO1, GOT1 and GOT2. Seven miRNAs were predicted targeting 11 key glycolytic proteins: miR-140-5p, miR-3064-5p, miR-152-3p, miR-449b-5p, miR-449a, miR-194-5p and miR-34a-5p. Among them, miR-140-5p was found to be downregulated in breast cancer and directly targeted GLUT1, resulting in an antiglycolytic and antiproliferative effect.