Upregulation of microRNA‑23a regulates proliferation and apoptosis by targeting APAF‑1 in laryngeal carcinoma

Zhang,Xiao‑Wen; Liu,Ning; Chen,Sheng; Wang,Ye; Sun,Kai‑Lai; Xu,Zhen‑Ming; Fu,Wei‑Neng

doi:10.3892/ol.2015.3238

Upregulation of microRNA‑23a regulates proliferation and apoptosis by targeting APAF‑1 in laryngeal carcinoma

Authors:
- Xiao‑Wen Zhang
- Ning Liu
- Sheng Chen
- Ye Wang
- Kai‑Lai Sun
- Zhen‑Ming Xu
- Wei‑Neng Fu
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Affiliations: Department of Medical Genetics, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China, Department of Otolaryngology, No. 463 Hospital of PLA, Shenyang, Liaoning 110007, P.R. China
Published online on: May 20, 2015 https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2015.3238
Pages: 410-416

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Abstract

MicroRNA‑23a (miR‑23a) is a potential biomarker for laryngeal cancer. Apoptotic protease activating factor 1 (APAF‑1) was recently demonstrated to be a target of miR‑23a. However, whether miR‑23a exerts its effects via APAF‑1 in laryngeal cancer, remains unknown. In the present study, miR‑23a expression was detected by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR). APAF‑1 mRNA and protein expression levels were assayed by RT‑qPCR and western blotting, respectively. Binding of miR‑23a to APAF‑1 was monitored by a luciferase reporter assay. Gain‑of‑function and loss‑of‑function studies were performed in order to investigate the roles of miR‑23a and APAF‑1 in Hep2 cell proliferation and apoptosis. miR‑23a and APAF‑1 were found to be significantly upregulated and downregulated, respectively, in laryngeal cancer tissues, and there was a significant negative correlation between APAF‑1 and miR‑23a expression. The results of the luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miR‑23a bound directly to the APAF‑1 mRNA 3'‑untranslated region. Ectopic expression of miR‑23a and knockdown of APAF‑1 significantly promoted cell proliferation and colony formation, and inhibited early apoptosis in Hep2 cells. In conclusion, miR‑23a acts as an oncogenic regulator in laryngeal carcinoma by directly targeting APAF‑1, and may be a useful biomarker in the diagnosis and treatment of laryngeal carcinoma.

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