ABSTRACT
[Objective] To investigate the expression of microRNA-200c (miR-200c) in colorectal carcinomas (CRC),and analyze its role on tumor cell migration and invasion.[Methods] The expression levels of miR-200c in CRC tissues and adjacent normal mucosa were assessed by real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR).miR-200c mimics were transiently transfected into human colorectal cancer cells,and their roles on cell migration and invasion were analyzed by Transwell assay.Cell proliferation was measured using the Cell Counting kit-8.The expression levels of epithelial and mesenchymal markers as well as related transcription factor ZEB1 were detected by Western blotting.[Results] Lower miR-200c expression was found in primary CRC tissues with lymph node metastasis compared to those without lymph node metastasis and adjacent normal mucosa.Transfection of miR-200c mimics suppressed proliferation,and reduced invasion and migration in SW620 cells.Furthermore,up-regulation of miR-200c inhibited ZEB1,and resulted in increased E-cadherin and reduced Vimentin gene expression.[Conclusion] miR-200c was associated with invasive and metastatic behavior of CRC.These effects may be mediated through regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.