Effects of miR-217 on proliferation, migration and invasion of uterine fibroid cells by targeting PCNA

Objective To investigate the effects of miR-217 on proliferation, migration and invasion of uterine fibroid cell line SK-UT-1 by targeting PCNA. Methods The expression level of miR-217 in uterine fibroids and adjacent normal tissues was determined by RT-PCR. The SK-UT-1 cell line with over-expression of miR-217 or suppression of PCNA was established. The cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. The cell migration and invasion were determined by Transwell chamber assay. The protein expression levels of PCNA, CyclinD1, p21, E-cadherin and MMP-2 were examined by Western blot. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the targeting effect of miR-217 on PCNA. Results Compared with adjacent normal tissues, the expression level of miR-217 in uterine fibroid tissues significantly decreased. The over-expression of miR-217 or the suppression of PCNA inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of SK-UT-1 cells and protein expression of CyclinD1 and MMP-2, and promoted the protein expression of p21 and E-cadherin. PCNA was the target gene of miR-217, and miR-217 negatively regulated the PCNA expression. Overexpression of miR-217 significantly reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-217 on proliferation, migration and invasion of SK-UT-1 cells. Conclusion miR-217 may inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of uterine fibroid cell line SK-UT-1 by down-regulating PCNA expression. Key words: Uterine fibroids; miR-217; PCNA; Proliferation; Migration; Invasion