microRNA-34a/c function as tumor suppressors in Hep-2 laryngeal carcinoma cells and may reduce GALNT7 expression

Abstract

A family of small non-coding RNAs, ∼22 nt in length, known as microRNAs (miRNAs), regulating ∼30% of all human gene expression, have been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of a number of types of cancers, including laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). In the current study, miR-34a and miR-34c were observed to be downregulated in human LSCC tissues. Ectopic expression of miR-34a and miR-34c in Hep-2 cells significantly induced the cell proliferation and migration ability in vitro. UDP-N-acetyl-α-D-gal actosamine:polypeptide-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 7 (GALNT7), whose expression is negatively regulated by miR-34a and miR-34c in Hep-2 cells, is confirmed to be a novel direct target gene of miR-34a and miR-34c. In conclusion, the current results suggest that miR-34a and miR-34c may function as tumor suppressors in LSCC through downregulation of GALNT7. The study of miR-34a, miR-34c and its novel target, GALNT7, may serve as novel potential makers for LSCC therapy.