MiR-101-3p targets the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway via Birc5 to inhibit invasion, proliferation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate numerous genes in cells. Abnormal expression of miRNAs can lead to cancer. However, the roles and underlying mechanisms of miRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not fully understood. Using molecular biology techniques, we designed eukaryotic expression vectors with enhanced expression of miR-101-3p to transfect human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Subsequent to this, cell cloning experiments, CCK8 assays, and Transwell migration experiments were executed to assess their impact on liver cancer cell proliferation and invasion. Dual-luciferase assays were employed to validate the molecular interaction between miR-101-3p and Birc5. Through rescue experiments aimed at manipulating the expression levels of Birc5, we scrutinized the influence of miR-101-3p on liver cancer cell proliferation and invasion. Furthermore, Western blot analysis was utilized to monitor alterations in the expression levels of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin proteins within each cell group. In vivo investigations were conducted using nude mice implanted with hepatocellular carcinoma cells transfected with Birc5. Additionally, further exploration was carried out by combining this model with the PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor miltefosine to elucidate its effects on tumor proliferation. In vitro functional analysis of miR-101-3p revealed that treatment of HCC cells with its corresponding mimic significantly inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Additionally, miR-101-3p exerts its anti-tumor effects by targeting the shared gene Birc5. Experiments using nude mouse models demonstrate that Birc5 promotes tumor proliferation by phosphorylating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway shows suppressive effects on liver cancer proliferation. MiR-101-3p plays crucial roles in inhibiting the proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of HCC cells by targeting Birc5 and downregulating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. These findings provide new insights for the molecular treatment of HCC.