Downregulation of miR-195 promotes prostate cancer progression by targeting HMGA1

Abstract

Aberrant deregulation of microRNA-195 (miR-195) is associated with tumorigenesis and the development of cancer. However, its expression and function in prostate cancer (PCa) remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we found that miR-195 expression levels were decreased in human PCa samples and were correlated with patient prognosis. miR-195 overexpression inhibited cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and tumorigenesis via directly targeting HMGA1. Downregulation of HMGA1 expression had an effect similar to miR-195 in the PCa cells. In clinical specimens, HMGA1 was overexpressed in castration-resistant prostate cancer when compared with its levels in benign prostate hyperplasia and androgen-dependent prostate cancer, and its expression levels were inversely correlated with overall survival and biochemical relapse-free survival. In summary, our study suggests that miR-195 functions as a tumor-suppressor gene by downregulating HMGA1 and can be used as a potential target in the treatment of PCa.