Effect and mechanism of microRNA-128 on proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocelluar carcinoma cells

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of microRNA-128 (miR-128) on the proliferation, apoptosis on the hepatoma cells. Methods The target genes of miR-128 were analyzed by using bioinformatics and dual luciferase reporter assay system. We overexpressed miR-128 in the MHCC97H cells and also infected the GP73 gene with virus in the cell. Cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit and apoptosis was detected by TUNEL and apoptosis index was calculated. Thirty 6-8 weeks Balb/c nude mice were randomly divided into miR-128 overexpression group (n=15) and control group (n=15). Results The results of bioinformatics and dual luciferase reporter assay showed that GP73 was the target gene of miR-128. Compared with the negative control group, cell proliferation in miR-128 overexpression group was decreased significantly; compared with miR-128+ empty plasmid group, cell in miR-128+ GP73 group was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the negative control group, the apoptosis index in miR-128 overexpression group was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with miR-128 + empty plasmid group, the apoptosis index of miR-128 + GP73 group was significantly increased (P<0.05). Tumor volume of the overexpression group was higher than that of the control group. 5 weeks later, tumor volume of the miR-128 overexpression group (1 209±108)mm3 was significantly higher than that of the control group (1 985±298)mm3, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion miR-128 can promote the proliferation and inhibit the apoptosis of hepatoma cells by regulating GP73, which provide a reference for the prognosis evaluation of hepatoma. Key words: Liver neoplasms; MicroRNA-128; Golgi protein-73; Cell proliferation; Apoptosis