MicroRNA-373-3p inhibits prostate cancer progression by targeting AKT1.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate whether microRNA-373-3p could inhibit the progression of prostate cancer (PCa) by targeting and degrading AKT1. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Expression levels of microRNA-373-3p and AKT1 in PCa tissues and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPN) tissues were detected by quantitative Real-Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). According to the follow-up data, survival curves and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to investigate whether microRNA-373-3p could be served as a biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis of PCa. The effect of microRNA-373-3p on cell proliferation was examined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Subsequently, we explored the direct binding condition of AKT1 and microRNA-373-3p by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and Western blot. RESULTS: QRT-PCR results showed that microRNA-373-3p level was significantly lower in PCa tissues compared with that of BPN tissues, whereas AKT1 expression was significantly increased. By analyzing the survival curve and ROC curve, we found that the overall survival (OS) of PCa patients with higher microRNA-373-3p expression was markedly longer than those with lower expression. Besides, microRNA-373-3p could be used as an early diagnostic marker to distinguish PCa from BPH. Overexpression of microRNA-373-3p in PCa cells (LNCaP and PC3 cells) remarkably inhibited cell proliferation. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and Western blot showed that microRNA-373-3p targeted the 3'UTR of AKT1 and inhibited its expression. CONCLUSIONS: Downregulated microRNA-373-3p promoted the proliferation of prostate cancer cells via targeting AKT1.

MicroRNA-212 participates in the development of prostate cancer by upregulating BMI1 via NF-κB pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of microRNA-212 in prostate cancer (PCa) and its underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: MicroRNA-212 expressions in 72 PCa tissues and paracancerous tissues were detected by qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction). The relationship between microRNA-212 expression and clinical characteristics of PCa patients was analyzed. Target genes of microRNA-212 were predicted by TargetScan and verified by luciferase reporter gene assay. Proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis of PCa cells were detected after transfection with corresponding plasmids of microRNA-212 in PCa cells, respectively. The effect of microRNA-212 on BMI1 and NF-κB pathway was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: MicroRNA-212 was downregulated in PCa patients. The survival rate of PCa patients with lower expression of microRNA-212 was remarkably lower than those with a higher level. After overexpression of microRNA-212, we observed inhibited proliferation and arrested cell cycle of PCa cells. Increased apoptosis was found after PCa cells were transfected with microRNA-212 mimic. Luciferase reporter gene assay showed that microRNA-212 was bound to BMI1, which further promoted PCa development via NF-κB pathway. CONCLUSIONS: MicroRNA-212 was downregulated in PCa tissues, which could promote the PCa development by targeting BMI1 via NF-κB pathway.

Angled cavity photonic crystal laser diodes with tilted sidewalls for improving far-field patterns.

Angled laser diodes based on the longitudinal photonic band crystal (PBC) waveguide are first proposed and fabricated at a wavelength of 905 nm. Tilted sidewalls are utilized to reflect the light downward, thus enlarging the transverse mode size. In the experiment, continuous wave (CW) output power of 630 mW/facet is achieved, and stable and narrow divergence angles are obtained in the fast and slow axes, simultaneously. The transverse angle is reduced by 44% compared with that of the conventional broad area (BA) laser based on the same wafer, and the lateral angle is only 1.65° with on-axis main-lobe emission. This device shows a promising future for laser emission with ultra-narrow divergence and easy fabrication.