miR-203a regulates proliferation, migration, and apoptosis by targeting glycogen synthase kinase-3β in human renal cell carcinoma

MicroRNAs play a crucial role in cancer progression and metastasis. miR-203a has been identified as a tumor suppressor in various cancers. However, its functions in renal cell carcinoma have not been illustrated. In this study, we detected the miR-203a expression in renal cell carcinoma and evaluated its association with clinical features. Overexpression of miR-203a was found in renal cell carcinoma tissues and renal cell carcinoma cells. High miR-203a expression is correlated with tumor stage and short overall survival time. Bioinformatics and luciferase assay confirmed that glycogen synthase kinase-3β was a target gene of miR-203a. Silencing of miR-203a could inhibit cell proliferation and migration, arrest them in G1 phase, and promote apoptosis in vitro. miR-203a promotes the progression of renal cell carcinoma and predicts a poor prognosis.