MiR-495 inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression by targeting Akt1

Abstract

MicroRNAs are involved in tumor initiation and progression by regulating oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Here we found that miR-495 are lower in clinical ESCC tissues than in adjacent non-tumor tissues. Moreover, the lower miR-495 expression correlated with increased lymph node metastasis (LNM), invasion and TNM stage. miR-495 overexpression predicted a favorable outcome in ESCC patients. miR- 495 targeted a site in the 3'-UTR of Akt1, and miR-495 levels correlated inversely with Akt1 protein levels in ESCC tissue samples. Overexpression of miR-495 suppressed cell proliferation, blocked G1/S phase transition, and decreased migration and invasion by two ESCC cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Restoration of Akt1 protein levels in miR-495- overexpressing ESCC cells attenuated the inhibitory effects of miR-495. In addition, miR-495 suppressed cell cycle transition and the EMT signaling pathway through targeting Akt1, thereby inhibiting ESCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Our results suggest that miR-495 may act as a tumor suppressor by targeting Akt1 in ESCC.