Overexpression of TP53 mutation-associated microRNA-182 promotes tumor cell proliferation and migration in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the functional mechanism of microRNA-182 (miR-182) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

DESIGN: HNSCC and normal samples were used to check both p53 and miR-182 expression. Two cancer cell lines with overexpression of miR-182 were used to check cell proliferation and migration. In vivo role of miR-182 was assessed using mouse xenograft tumor model. β-TrCP2 was found to be direct target of miR-182 by luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS: Overexpression of miR-182 was closely related with overproduction of p53 in HNSCC. Overexpression of miR-182 promoted cell proliferation and migration and its oncogenic effect was also confirmed in vivo. β-TrCP2 acted as direct target of miR-182 and its overexpression can reverse the miR-182 induced cell proliferation and migration.

CONCLUSION: Overexpression of TP53 mutation-associated miR-182 may promote tumor cell proliferation and migration in HNSCC and suggest possible biomarker for the prediction of tumor recurrence.