MiR-205 promotes proliferation, migration and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by activation of AKT signalling

OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of microRNA (miR)-205 in proliferation, migration and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: The human NPC cell line CNE2 was transfected with miR-205 mimic, anti-miR-205 inhibitor or scrambled oligonucleotide (control). Cell proliferation was assessed via MTT assay. Cell migration and invasion were evaluated by transwell migration and Matrigel® invasion assay, respectively. Radiation induced apoptosis was quantified via Caspase-Glo3/7 assay. Apoptotic proteins and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) proteins were semiquantified by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Overexpression of miR-205 increased the proliferation, migration and invasion of CNE2 cells, and decreased radiation-induced apoptosis compared with control cells. MiR-205 overexpression downregulated E-cadherin and upregulated Snail expression via downregulation of PTEN and upregulation of AKT. CONCLUSION: MiR-205 plays vital roles in tumourigenesis and tumour progression in NPC, and may be a potential treatment target.