MicroRNA-383 suppresses pancreatic carcinoma development via inhibition of GAB1 expression.

OBJECTIVE: Pancreatic carcinoma (PC) is a serious malignancy associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Previous studies have identified various microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in the development of PC; however, the role of miR-383 still remains unclear. This study investigates the role of miR-383 in the malignant transformation of PC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to quantify miR-383 and Grb2 associated binding protein 1 (GAB1) RNA levels, and Western blot analysis was performed to measure protein expression. The ability of miR-383 to bind and regulate the expression of GAB1 was assessed using a Luciferase reporter assay. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) experiments and flow cytometry analysis were used to assess cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. RESULTS: Down-regulation of miR-383 was associated with adverse clinical results and poor prognosis in PC patients. Mechanistically, miR-383 inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis of PANC-1 (human pancreatic cancer cell) cells. Our results show that miR-383 can act directly on GAB1 to inhibit its expression in PC. This downregulation of GAB1 limits cell proliferation and induced apoptosis of PANC-1 cells. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-383 suppresses tumor development and progression through the downregulation of GAB1 expression.