miR-338-3p suppresses epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis in human nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Objective: MicroRNAs are important modulators of the cellular epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and are associated with metastasis in human nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we tried to investigate the role of miR-338-3p in NSCLC cells.

Methods: Real-time polymerase chain reaction was applied to quantify the expression levels of miR-338-3p, as well as EMT-associated molecules in NSCLC cells. Wound healing and transwell assays were performed to evaluate the migration and invasion capacities, respectively. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was finally performed to determine the targeting of zinc finger E-box-binding protein 2 (ZEB2) by miR-338-3p.

Results: We found that miR-338-3p was significantly reduced in NSCLC cell lines. Forced expression of miR-338-3p in A549 cells led to the suppression of migration/invasion capacity and inhibition of epithelial markers. In addition, we proved that miR-338-3p could directly target ZEB2.

Conclusions: In general, we summarized that miR-338-3p could inhibit EMT and metastasis of human NSCLC cells, which probably via directly targeting ZEB2 expression.