Inhibitory effect of knocking down miR-30a-5p on the growth of U251 glioma cells

Objective To investigate the effect of knock-down of miR-30a-5p on the biological characteristics of U251 glioblastoma cells. Methods miR-30a-5p inhibitor, mediated by Lipofectamine 2000, was transfected to U251 cells for knocking down miR-30a-5p. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted to detect the expression of miR-30a-5p in transfected cells. The cell proliferation rate was detected by methyl thiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay, and cell cycle kinetics was examined by flow cytometry. The cell invasive ability was evaluated by Transwell assay and apoptosis detected by Annexin V assay. Results The expression of miR-30a-5p in the miR-30a-5p inhibitor group was significantly down-regulated. The cell proliferation activity and invasive ability were reduced. Cells were arrested in G0/G1 phase, and apoptosis was induced in cells transfected with miR-30a-5p inhibitor as compared to those of the cells transfected with scramble siRNA and control cells, so suppression of miR-30a-5p expression rendered the glioma cells harboring less aggressive phenotype. Conclusion miR-30a-5p is one of oncomiRs. It may be a candidate target miRNA for gene therapy of gliomas. Key words: Glioma;  Proliferation;  Invasion;  Cell cycle