Dexmedetomidine inhibits cell malignancy in osteosarcoma cells via miR-520a-3p-YOD1 interactome

Abstract Background Osteosarcoma is a common malignant tumor in adolescents with a low 5-year survival rate. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) has been widely used for surgery of osteosarcoma patients. MiR-520a-3p and YOD1 expression was abnormal in osteosarcoma cells. However, whether DEX affects osteosarcoma progression via miR-520a-3p-YOD1 interactome needs to be explored. Methods We detected osteosarcoma cells biological behavior by CCK-8 assay, BrdU assay, cell adhesion assay, and apoptosis assay, respectively. The miR-520a-3p and YOD1 levels was explored in osteosarcoma cell lines by RT-qPCR or western blotting assay. Results In this study, we found that DEX treating osteosarcoma cells inhibited cell viability, proliferation and adhesion, while it promoted cell apoptosis. Moreover, miR-520a-3p targeting to YOD1 also functionally repressed cell malignancy in osteosarcoma cells. Notably, DEX treatment could inhibit YOD1 expression via upregulating miR-520a-3p, thereby suppressing cell malignancy in osteosarcoma. Conclusions Our study first revealed that DEX inhibited malignancy of osteosarcoma cells via miR-520a-3p/YOD1 axis.