Expression and function of miR-346 in colon cancer cells

Objective To detect the expression of miR-346 in colon cancer cells and the relationship with invasion and metastasis, so as to provide experimental basis for predicting and treating targets of colon cancer. Methods Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of microRNA-346 in colon cancer cell lines (HCT116, COLO205, SW620) and normal colon epithelial cells (NCM460). The expression of microRNA-346 was up-regulated or down-regulated by mimic or inhibitor and transfected into HCT116 cells.The transfection efficiency was detected by qRT-PCR.The metastasis and infiltration behavior of HCT116 cells were observed by Transwell. Results The relative expression of microRNA-346 in colon cancer cell lines HCT116, COLO205 and SW620 were (0.372±0.068), (1.284±0.253), (1.105±0.203), respectively.The relative expression of COLO-205 and SW620 in normal colon epithelial cells (NCM460) was (0.126±0.004). Compared with NCM460 group, COLO-205 group and SW620 group had significant difference (t=9.652, P<0.01; t=7.753, P<0.01). The invasion and metastasis ability of HCT116 cells increased after the up-regulation of the expression of microRNA-346 (t=2.458, P<0.05; t=2.194, P<0.05), and decreased after the down-regulation of the expression of microRNA-346 (t=2.247, P<0.05; t=2.065, P<0.05). Conclusion Mir-346 is highly expressed in colon cancer cells and regulates invasion and metastasis of colon cancer cells. Key words: MiR346; Colon cancer; Metastasis; Invasion