Effect of miR-182 targeting MTSS1 on the proliferation and metastasis of esophageal cancer

MTSS1 is a tumor metastasis suppressor which participates in the regulation of metastasis of a variety of malignancies. Studies have found that miR-182 plays a role in metastasis through regulation of MTSS1. Therefore, this article intends to study the role of miR-182 in the proliferation and metastasis of esophageal cancer by targeting MTSS1. A total of 89 patients with esophageal cancer were included. The levels of serum miR-182 were measured by qRT-PCR. The relationship between serum miR-182 level and tumor metastasis was analyzed. Targets of miR-183 were determined by bioinformatics and luciferase reporter gene assay. miR-182 was over-expressed in esophageal cancer KYSE410 cells. Protein levels of MTSS1 were measured. Flow cytometry was used to monitor the changes in cell cycle and transwell assay was used to measure the capability of cell invasion migration. The levels of serum miR-182 in esophageal cancer patients with metastasis were significantly higher than that of esophageal cancer patients without metastasis. Bioinformatics and luciferase reporter gene assay results showed that miR-182 binds to 3'UTR of MTSS1 mRNA. In vitro results showed that overexpression of miR-182 significantly decreased the expression level of MTSS1 in KYSE410 cells (P<0.05), but significantly increased the proliferation and invasion capability of KYSE410 cells (P<0.05). Patients with metastatic esophageal cancer had significant higher plasma levels of miR-182 than that of patients with non-metastatic esophageal cancer. Over-expression of miR-182 inhibited the expression of MTSS1 in KYSE410 cells to promote cell proliferation and enhance the capability of cell invasion and metastasis.