miR-507 Acts as a Tumor Suppressor in Renal Cell Carcinoma Cells by Targeting STEAP3.

Introduction: In recent years, there has been a rise in the incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), with metastatic RCC being a prevalent and significant contributor to mortality. While a regulatory role for microRNAs (miRNAs) in the development and progression of RCC has been recognized, their precise functions, molecular mechanisms, and potential clinical implications remain inadequately elucidated. Hence, this study aimed to explore the role of miR-507 in RCC and identify STEAP3 as a downstream target of miR-507.

Methods: Bioinformatics analysis was used to analyze the expression of miR-507 and STEAP3 in RCC specimens. CCK-8, Transwell, and flow cytometry assays were used to assess the function of miR-507 in RCC cells. The connection between miR-507 and STEAP3 was confirmed through a luciferase reporter assay. The expression level of STEAP3, p53, and xCT was analyzed by western blotting.

Results: Bioinformatics analysis showed that miR-507 was expressed at low levels in RCC tissues and was linked to poor overall survival. STEAP3 was found to be significantly upregulated in RCC. Further, STEAP3 was shown to be targeted by miR-507. High levels of miR-507 reduced the expression of STEAP3, leading to stagnant cell viability, apoptosis, and migrative capacity. Whereas miR-507 knockdown reverted such a tendency. The study also discovered that miR-507 exerted its inhibitory effect through the op53/xCT pathway.

Conclusion: Within RCC, miR-507 modulates the expression of SETAP3/p53/xCT axis, exhibiting a tumor suppressive effect. These discoveries offer present prospective biomarkers for both surveillance and treatment of RCC.