RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the molecular mechanism of miR-124 suppressing the proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SPHK1 3'UTR-luciferase vector was constructed and luciferase reporter gene assay was employed to examine the effect of miR-124 on luciferase activity. Human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells were transfected with miR-124 mimics, and then Western blot was performed to detect the expression of SPHK1 protein.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Luciferase reporter vector system confirmed that SPHK1 was a target gene of miR-124. Western blot showed that the expression of SPHK1 protein was inhibited by miR-124. After transfection of miR-124 mimics or SPHK1 siRNA for 12 h, 24 h and 48 h, respectively, MTT assay showed that the A values of the three groups were significantly different (P < 0.05), and it was in a time-dependent manner. After transfection of miR-124 mimics or SPHK1 siRNA for 24 h, transwell invasion assay showed that the number of transmembrane cells was 54.6 ± 8.3 in the SPHK1 siRNA group and 47.8 ± 6.6 in the miR-124 mimics group, both were significantly lower than 100.6 ± 11.3 of the control group (P < 0.05), indicating that SPHK1 siRNA can slow down the invasion of MGC-803 cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>miR-124 can suppress the cell proliferation and invasion by targeting SPHK1 in gastric carcinoma.</p>