ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: MicroRNAs are important modulators of the cellular epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and are associated with metastasis in human nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we tried to investigate the role of miR‑338‑3p in NSCLC cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Real‑time polymerase chain reaction was applied to quantify the expression levels of miR‑338‑3p, as well as EMT‑associated molecules in NSCLC cells. Wound healing and transwell assays were performed to evaluate the migration and invasion capacities, respectively. Dual‑luciferase reporter assay was finally performed to determine the targeting of zinc finger E‑box‑binding protein 2 (ZEB2) by miR‑338‑3p. RESULTS: We found that miR‑338‑3p was significantly reduced in NSCLC cell lines. Forced expression of miR‑338‑3p in A549 cells led to the suppression of migration/invasion capacity and inhibition of epithelial markers. In addition, we proved that miR‑338‑3p could directly target ZEB2. CONCLUSIONS: In general, we summarized that miR‑338‑3p could inhibit EMT and metastasis of human NSCLC cells, which probably via directly targeting ZEB2 expression.