miR-125a suppresses viability and glycolysis and induces apoptosis by targeting Hexokinase 2 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: miR-125a usually functions as a tumor suppressor in cancers. However, the role of miR-125a in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) has not been determined. METHODS: qRT-PCR was applied to measure the expression of miR-125a and HK2 mRNA in LSCC tissues and cells. CCK-8 kit and flow cytometry analysis were performed to detect cell viability and apoptosis. Luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) were conducted to confirm the relationship between miR-125a and HK2. Commercial test kits were used to determine the concentrations of glucose and l-lactate. Xenograft in mice was constructed to validate the function and mechanism of miR-125a in LSCC tumor growth. RESULTS: A negative correlation was found between miR-125a expression and the level of Hexokinase 2 (HK2) mRNA in LSCC tissues. Functional experiments found that miR-125a inhibited viability and glycolysis and induced apoptosis in LSCC cells. Similarly, HK2 downregulation led to viability and glycolysis inhibition and induction of apoptosis in LSCC cells in vitro. Moreover, miR-125a overexpression suppressed LSCC xenograft growth in vivo. Mechanically, HK2 was verified to be a target of miR-125a by luciferase reporter assays and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. Furthermore, restored HK2 expression reversed miR-125a-mediated proliferation and glycolysis inhibition and induction of apoptosis in LSCC cells. CONCLUSIONS: miR-125a suppressed LSCC progression by targeting HK2 in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that miR-125a may be a potential molecular target for LSCC treatment. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13578-017-0178-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.