MiR-144 functions as tumor suppressor by targeting PIM1 in gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most prevalent types of malignant disease Worldwide. Mounting evidence has demonstrated the involvement of miRNAs in the development of GC. One of these miRNAs, miR-144 has been found aberrantly expressed in a variety of human malignancies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: GC tissues were collected from patients, and the level of miR-144 was determined by qRT-PCR. GC cell lines SGC7901 and AGS were used as model cell lines and the anti-tumor effect of miR-144 in both cells were examined. The level of miR-144 was restored in GC cells using miR-144 mimic. Moreover, the target gene of miR-144 wad identified.

RESULTS: In this study, our results showed that low miR-144 level significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis stage, TNM stage and differentiation degree. In addition, we found that miR-144 acted as a tumor suppressor in GC. Moreover, our findings showed that miR-144 exerted an anti-tumor effect by directly targeting RLIP76.

CONCLUSIONS:   miR-144 acts as a tumor suppressor in GC and it is a potential therapeutic target for GC treatment.