miR-107 regulates tumor progression by targeting NF1 in gastric cancer

Our previous genome-wide miRNA microarray study revealed that miR-107 was upregulated in gastric cancer (GC). In this study we aimed to explore its biological role in the pathogenesis of GC. Integrating in silico prediction algorithms with western blotting assays revealed that miR-107 inhibition enhanced NF1 (neurofibromin 1) mRNA and protein levels, suggesting that NF1 is one of miR-107 targets in GC. Luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-107 suppressed NF1 expression by binding to the first potential binding site within the 3′-UTR of NF1 mRNA. mRNA stable assay indicated this binding could result in NF1 mRNA instability, which might contribute to its abnormal protein expression. Functional analyses such as cell growth, transwell migration and invasion assays were used to investigate the role of interaction between miR-107 and its target on GC development and progression. Moreover, We investigated the association between the clinical phenotype and the status of miR-107 expression in 55 GC tissues, and found the high expression contributed to the tumor size and depth of invasion. The results exhibited that down regulation of miR-107 opposed cell growth, migration, and invasion, whereas NF1 repression promoted these phenotypes. Our findings provide a mechanism by which miR-107 regulates NF1 in GC, as well as highlight the importance of interaction between miR-107 and NF1 in GC development and progression.