TY - JOUR AB - The role of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) in governing the progression of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) has been the focus of recent studies. However, the functional role of miR‑451a in cSCC growth remains poorly understood. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the expression levels of miR‑451a in cSCC cell lines and the involvement of miR‑451a in cSCC progression. The results revealed that the expression levels of miR‑451a were downregulated in cSCC tissues and cell lines, and that this subsequently upregulated 3‑phosphoinositide‑dependent protein kinase‑1 (PDPK1) expression levels. PDPK1 was validated as a direct target of miR‑451a in cSCC using bioinformatics software Starbase, dual‑luciferase reporter gene assays and western blotting. Additionally, CCK‑8, EdU and Transwell assays, as well as flow cytometry and Hoechst 3325 staining, were performed to assess the malignant aggressiveness of cSCC cells. Overexpression of miR‑451a was demonstrated to impair the proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT), and promoted apoptosis in cSCC cells by interacting with PDPK1, possibly by direct targeting. Furthermore, the western blotting results indicated that miR‑451a overexpression may block the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by interacting with PDPK1. In conclusion, the findings of the present study suggested that miR‑451a may prevent the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of cSCC cells through the PDPK1‑mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which may offer potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of cSCC. AD - Department of Dermatology, Liaocheng Second People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University Affiliated Liaocheng Second Hospital, Linqing, Shandong 252601, P.R. China AU - Fu,Jixing AU - Zhao,Jianhua AU - Zhang,Huamin AU - Fan,Xiaoli AU - Geng,Wenjun AU - Qiao,Shaohua DA - 2021/02/01 DO - 10.3892/etm.2020.9548 IS - 2 JO - Exp Ther Med KW - cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma microRNA‑451a 3‑phosphoinositide‑dependent protein kinase‑1 PI3K/AKT signaling pathway migration invasion PY - 2021 SN - 1792-0981 1792-1015 SP - 116 ST - MicroRNA‑451a prevents cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma progression via the 3‑phosphoinositide‑dependent protein kinase‑1‑mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway T2 - Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine TI - MicroRNA‑451a prevents cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma progression via the 3‑phosphoinositide‑dependent protein kinase‑1‑mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2020.9548 VL - 21 ER -