MiR-377-3p inhibits cell metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cervical carcinoma through targeting SGK3.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In cervical carcinoma (CC), microRNAs (miRNAs) were reported to be involved in its development. In this study, we explored how miR-377-3p regulates cell metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in CC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), Dual-Luciferase Assay, transwell assays, and Western blot analysis were performed to explore the dysregulation of miR-377-3p. RESULTS: MiR-377-3p expression was decreased in CC, and the downregulation of miR-377-3p could predict poor prognosis in CC patients. Moreover, miR-377-3p overexpression repressed cell invasion and migration in CC. Similarly, miR-377-3p overexpression also inhibited EMT in CC cells. Furthermore, miR-377-3p directly targeted SGK3 in CC cells. SGK3 silence had the same function as miR-377-3p overexpression in CC. Especially, the upregulation of SGK3 abolished the inhibitory action of miR-377-3p in CC. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, miR-377-3p inhibited cell metastasis and EMT by suppressing SGK3 expression. Moreover, the high miR-377-3p expression could predict good prognosis of CC patients.