MiR-224 promotes colorectal cancer cells proliferation via downregulation of P21WAF1/CIP1

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are between 19 and 25 mer non-coding RNAs involved in cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, stress responses and maintenance of stem cell potency. In the present study, miR-224 was observed to be upregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue. Overexpression of miR-224 facilitated proliferation of the CRC cell lines, HCT-116 and SW-480. Bioinformatics analysis revealed a putative miR-224 binding site in the 3'-untranslated region of CDKI1A (P21WAF1/CIP1). Western blot analysis and the luciferase reporter assay proved that miR-224 represses P21WAF1/CIP1 expression and promotes cell cycle G1/S transition. These results suggest that the downregulation of miR-224 in CRC is a novel potential therapeutic strategy.