MicroRNA-451a promotes cell proliferation, migration and invasion in cervical cancer cell lines

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an important class of small non-coding RNA molecules that can regulate gene expression at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level. In our study, we aimed to investigate the expression of microRNA-451a (miR-451a) and clarify its biological role in cervical cancer development. The expression of miR-451a in human cervical cancer tissues and cell lines was detected by real-time PCR (qPCR). Furthermore, the effects of miR-451a on cell proliferation, migration and invasion were evaluated, using MTT, migration scratch and transwell assays. We found that the expression of miR-451a was up-regulated in cervical cancer tissues, as compared with paired normal cervical tissues (P<0.05). MiR-451a was also up-expressed in cervical cancer cell lines (Hela, C33A, Caski and SiHa) compared with normal cervical epithelial cell (End1/E6E7). Knock-down of miR-451a in SiHa and C33A cells using a synthesized inhibitor can significantly suppress cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, as compared with a negative control (P<0.05). In the present study, it was determined that miR-451a plays an oncogenic role in cervical cancer development. Silencing miR-451a may be a potential novel therapeutic approach for cervical cancer treatment.