MiR-34a-5p directly targeting TRIM44 affects the biological behavior of ovarian cancer cells

OBJECTIVE: This research intended to explore the expression and molecular mechanism of miR-34a-5p and Tripartite motif-containing protein 44 (TRIM44) in ovarian cancer (OC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Tissue and serums of OC patients were collected, and miR-34a-5p and TRIM44 in serum and tissue were tested by Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). In vitro cell experiment was constructed. Methyl Thiazolyl Tetrazolium (MTT), transwell, and flow cytometry were applied to test the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. Western blot was performed to explore TRIM44 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) proteins. RESULTS: MiR-34a-5p was low expressed, while TRIM44 was highly expressed, which was related to Federation International of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging and lymph node metastasis. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) revealed that the Area Under Curve (AUC) of miR-34a-5p and TRIM44 were 0.885 and 0.868, respectively. An evident increase of miR-34a-5p or decrease of TRIM44 could inhibit OC malignant behaviors, and E-cadherin increased while N-cadherin and Fibronectin decreased. The knockdown of miR-34a-5p or overexpression of TRIM44 could inhibit the malignant behavior of ovarian cancer cells, hinder the malignant behaviors, and reduce E-cadherin, while N-cadherin and Fibronectin protein was enhanced. Co-transfection found that overexpression of miR-34a-5p eliminated the biological behaviors of OC cells by TRIM44. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-34a-5p and TRIM44 can be used as diagnostic markers for OC. MiR-34a-5p can act in biological behaviors by targeting TRIM44 in OC.