miR-302b inhibits tumorigenesis by targeting EphA2 via Wnt/ β-catenin/EMT signaling cascade in gastric cancer.
BACKGROUND
EphA2 is a crucial oncogene in gastric cancer (GC) development and metastasis, this study aims to identify microRNAs that target it and serve as key regulators of gastric carcinogenesis.


METHODS
We identified several potential microRNAs targeting EphA2 by bioinformatics websites and then analyzed the role of miR-302b in modulating EphA2 in vitro and in vivo of GC, and it's mechanism.


RESULTS
Our analysis identified miR-302b, a novel regulator of EphA2, as one of the most significantly downregulated microRNA (miRNA) in GC tissues. Overexpression of miR-302b impaired GC cell migratory and invasive properties robustly and suppressed cell proliferation by arresting cells at G0-G1 phase in vitro. miR-302b exhibited anti-tumor activity by reversing EphA2 regulation, which relayed a signaling transduction cascade that attenuated the functions of N-cadherin, β-catenin, and Snail (markers of Wnt/β-catenin and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, EMT). This modulation of EphA2 also had distinct effects on cell proliferation and migration in GC in vivo.


CONCLUSIONS
miR-302b serves as a critical suppressor of GC cell tumorigenesis and metastasis by targeting the EphA2/Wnt/β-catenin/EMT pathway.
['Huang|Jin|J|', 'He|Yijing|Y|', 'Mcleod|Howard L|HL|', 'Xie|Yanchun|Y|', 'Xiao|Desheng|D|', 'Hu|Huabin|H|', 'Chen|Pan|P|', 'Shen|Liangfang|L|', 'Zeng|Shan|S|', 'Yin|Xianli|X|', 'Ge|Jie|J|', 'Li|Li|L|', 'Tang|Lanhua|L|', 'Ma|Jian|J|', 'Chen|Zihua|Z|']
D000818:Animals D017209:Apoptosis D063646:Carcinogenesis D002453:Cell Cycle D002465:Cell Movement D049109:Cell Proliferation D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic D006801:Humans D008297:Male D051379:Mice D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C D008819:Mice, Nude D035683:MicroRNAs D036104:Receptor, EphA2 D013274:Stomach Neoplasms D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured D051153:Wnt Proteins D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays D051176:beta Catenin
miR-302b EphA2 Gastric cancer Wnt/β-catenin Epithelial-mesenchymal transition