Upregulation of microRNA-204 inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion in human renal cell carcinoma cells by downregulating SOX4

Abstract

MicroRNA-204 (miR-204) has been reported to be frequently downregulated in various types of cancer, including renal, brain, ovary, hematological and colon cancer. The present study, investigated the effects of miR-204 on renal cell carcinoma. Following transfection of miR-204, an MTT assay, cell migration assay, cell invasion assay, western blot analysis and luciferase assay were performed in renal cell carcinoma cell lines. It was demonstrated that miR-204 inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion in 786-O and A498 cells. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that miR-204 directly targets SOX4 in renal cell carcinoma. These results suggested that miR-204 may have value as a marker for the early detection of tumor metastasis and a therapeutic target preventing the invasion of renal cell carcinoma.