Target Gene Regulation of MicroRNA-125b and MicroRNA-27a in Lung Cancer 95D Cells

Objective To examine the regulation of microRNA (miR)-125b and miR-27a to target genes in lung cancer 95D cells and related mechanism.

Methods The target genes and GO function of miR-125b and miR-27a were predicted and analyzed by bioinformatics analysis. The expression levels of miR-125b and miR-27a were up-regulated and down-regulated by transfecting mimics and inhibitors in cells, respectively. Then the protein expression levels of predicted target genes were detected using Western blot.

Results According to the results of target genes prediction and GO function analysis, miR-125b was associated with the apoptosis regulation of MAP3K, and MAP3K11 was one of the important target genes. In addition, miR-27a was associated with transcription and cell differentiation function, and PLK2 was one of the potential target genes. The results of Western blot showed that, compared with the negative control group, the protein expression of MAP3K11 of the miR-125b inhibitors transfection group significantly increased by 1.795 times (P < 0.05), but that of the miR-125b mimics transfection group did not obviously change (P>0.05). Moreover, the protein expression of PLK2 of the miR-27a inhibitors and the mimics transfection groups did not significantly change (P>0.05).

Conclusion The study findings indicate that miR-125b may participate in MAP3K mediated apoptosis and affect lung cancer development via regulating MAP3K11.