MiR-195 inhibits migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of endometrial carcinoma cells by targeting SOX4

ABSTRACT

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as potential biomarkers for endometrial carcinoma (EC) diagnosis, prognosisand therapy. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the detailed role and molecular mechanism of miR-195 inEC metastasis. qRT-PCR assay was performed to assess the expression of miR-195 and SRY-related high-mobility groupbox 4 (SOX4) mRNA in EC tissues and cells. The levels of N-cadherin, Vimentin, E-cadherin and SOX4 protein weredetermined by western blot. SOX4 protein expression in EC tissues was also determined by Immunohistochemistry (IHC)experiment. Transwell assay was used to analyze cell migration and invasion abilities. Dual-luciferase reporter assay andRNA Immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were performed to confirm the targeted interaction between miR-195 and SOX4.Our data supported that miR-195 was downregulated and SOX4 was upregulated in EC tissues and cell lines. Upregulationof miR-195 inhibited migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of EC cells. Moreover, SOX4 was adirect target of miR-195. MiR-195 overexpression-mediated anti-migration, anti-invasion and anti-EMT effects wereantagonized by SOX4 restoration in EC cells. In conclusion, our study suggested that miR-195 inhibited the migration,invasion and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of EC cells at least partly by targeting SOX4. Our study provided anovel underlying mechanism for EC metastasis and a promising therapeutic target for EC management.