miR-491 regulates glioma cells proliferation by targeting TRIM28 in vitro

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs are significantly involved in tumorigenesis and progression of glioma. However, the critical part they play in glioma have not been fully elaborated. miR-491 and Tripartite motif containing 28 (TRIM28) are reported to aberrantly express in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Here, we detected miR-491 and TRIM28 expression and function in glioma cells. METHODS: We analyzed miR-491 expressions in 20 primary human GBM tissues and 6 control brain tissues by qRT-PCR assays and searched for The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Then we predicted possible mRNA target of miR-491 by TargetScan/MicroRNA and confirmed it via luciferase reporter assays. Knock-down of miR-491 and transfection of pLenti-TRIM28 were performed in U251 and U87 cells. Proliferation ability was examined by MTT and clone formation assays. RESULTS: miR-491 expression was obviously reduced in GBM cells and tissues. There was a positive correlation between the down-regulation of miR-491 and poor prognosis. Spearman’s correlation analysis demonstrated that miR-491 expression was negatively correlated with TRIM28 protein level. Possible mRNA binding sites of miR-491 predicted by TargetScan/MicroRNA were proved by luciferase assays. Clone formation and MTT assays indicated that up-regulation of miR-491 inhibited the proliferation of glioma cells. CONCLUSIONS: miR-491 regulates glioma cells proliferation in vitro by targeting TRIM28. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12883-016-0769-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.