miR-19a-3p promotes the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating p53/SOX4
Hang Zhang, Jiajun Zhu, Jingjun Zhang, Ying Liu, Baicheng Zhao, Xiaoyi Yang, Wenhan Zhou, Bozhou Chen, Shuangshuang Zhang, Ruotong Huang, Shuying Chen
Abstract
Objective This study aims to investigate the potential functions of miR-19a-3p in HCC. Method We collected serum samples to analyze miR-19a-3p expression. We utilized CCK8 and Transwell assays to access miR-19a-3p′s influence on HCC cells malignancy. We used dual-luciferase reporter and western blotting to validate the impact of p53/miR-19 on miR-19/SOX4. Results The results demonstrated that miR-19a-3p was highly expressed in pre-operative serum samples and HCC cells, which can promote cell proliferation, migration and invasion in HCC under in vitro conditions. Additionally, there was a p53 binding site on the upstream of miR-19a-3p, which was inhibited by p53. SOX4 was the direct gene targeted by miR-19a-3p. The imbalance of p53-miR-19-SOX4 loop was one reason for the progress of HCC. Conclusion Our findings validate the mechanisms of miR-19a-3p and highlight its potential as a therapeutic target in HCC.