MiR-338-5p suppresses proliferation, migration, invasion, and promote apoptosis of glioblastoma cells by directly targeting EFEMP1.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effect of miR-338-5p on proliferation, migration and invasion of glioblastoma (GBM) cells by regulating EFEMP1.

METHODS: The expression of miR-338-5p and EFEMP1 was measured by qRT-PCR and western blot. Transfection was conducted to regulate the expression of miR-338-5p and EFEMP1 in U87 cell lines. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion were evaluated using CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry and Transwell assay respectively. Dual luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify whether miR-338-5p directly targeted EFEMP1.

RESULTS: MiR-338-5p was significantly down-regulated in human GBM tumor tissues and cells while EFEMP1 was strongly upregulated (P<0.05). Upregulated miR-338-5p was able to suppress cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and promote cell apoptosis in GBM cells (P<0.05). Dual luciferase reporter gene assay determined that miR-338-5p directly targeted EFEMP1 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: MiR-338-5p suppressed proliferation, migration and invasion of GBM cells through inhibiting EFEMP1.