MicroRNA-661 expression is upregulated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and promotes cell proliferation.

Abstract

Deregulation of microRNA (miRNA/miR) expression has been implicated in the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the role of miR-661 in PDAC remains unknown. In the present study, it was revealed that miR-661 expression was significantly upregulated in PDAC tissues compared with that in adjacent normal tissues by using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays. Higher miR-661 expression revealed a positive association with lymph node metastasis, an advanced T stage and a poor prognosis in patients with PDAC. Furthermore, ectopic expression of miR-661 significantly promoted the cell proliferation ability in PDAC cell lines, and simultaneously promoted Wnt signaling pathway-related protein expression of β-catenin, transcription factor 4 and cyclin D1 in vitro. However, the downregulation of miR-661 revealed reverse effects. Thus, the results of the present study indicated that miR-661 may function as a prognostic marker and provide insight for pancreatic cancer treatment.

• Authors: Feifei Lv, Kehong Zheng, Jinlong Yu, Zonghai Huang
• Journal: Oncology letters (Oncol Lett) Vol. 16 Issue 5 Pg. 6293-6298 (Nov 2018) ISSN: 1792-1074 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 30405764 (Publication Type: Journal Article)