MiR-138 modulates prostate cancer cell invasion and migration via Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Abstract

The prognosis for prostate cancer patients with distant metastasis is poor, with an average survival rate of 24-48 months. The exact mechanisms underlying prostate cancer metastasis remain to be elucidated, despite previous research efforts. The present study aimed to reveal the regulatory roles of miR-138 via Wnt/β-catenin pathway in prostate cancer cell migration and invasion. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to examine the mRNA and protein expression levels and transwell assay was conducted to determine cell invasion and migration. A luciferase reporter assay was used to determine the target association between miR-138 and β-catenin. The present study identified microRNA (miR)-138 as an invasion and migration regulator in prostate cancer. miR-138 was downregulated in aggressive prostate cancer cell lines. Furthermore, followingmiR-138 overexpression, prostate cancer cells exhibited impaired invasive and migratory abilities. E-cadherin was upregulated and vimentin was downregulated. In addition, it was demonstrated that miR-138 negatively regulated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation in prostate cancer. The pathway was then activated via β-catenin overexpression and this reversed the effects of miR-138. The results suggest that miR-138 downregulation may contribute to prostate cancer progression and metastasis. The findings provide a novel molecular therapeutic target in the treatment of prostate cancer metastasis.