ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate miR-20a expression in human glioma and normal brain tissues and its effect on the proliferation of glioma cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of miR-20a was detected in human normal brain tissues and glioma tissues by real-time RT-PCR. miR-20a mimics were synthesized and transfected into U251 cells via liposome, and the cell proliferation were detected using MTT assay and flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The glioma tissues showed significantly up-regulated expression of miR-20a compared with normal brain tissues (P=0.035). The expression level of miR-20a was higher in high-grade than in low-grade gliomas. miR-20a mimics significantly enhanced the proliferation of U251 cells and the percentage of S-phase cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>miR-20a shows potent effect in promoting the growth of glioma cells, suggesting its important role in the pathogenesis of human glioma.</p>