miR-1266-5p and miR-185-5p Promote Cell Apoptosis in Human Prostate Cancer Cell Lines

OBJECTIVE: Small non-coding RNA molecules are dysregulated in prostate cancer (PCa). In our previous study, downregulation of miR-1266 and miR-185 was demonstrated in PCa tissues and cell lines. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether miR-1266 and miR-185 are involved in the regulation of B-cell lymphoma (BCL) 2 and BCL2L1, respectively, and whether transfection of PCa cell lines with miR-1266 and miR-185 mimics can alter tumorigenic phenotypes. METHODS: In order to investigate the regulation of BCL2 and BCL2L1 mRNA levels by miR-1266 and miR-185, respectively, a luciferase reporter assay was used. Real-time PCR was also used to analyze changes in the levels of BCL2 and BCL2L1 mRNAs in PCa cell lines following transfection with synthetic miR-1266 and miR-185. Cell apoptosis was determined by Annexin V protein expression analysis via flow cytometry. In addition to the MTT assay, a cell proliferation assay was performed. RESULT: A luciferase assay confirmed that the BCL2 and BCL2L1 genes may be targeted by miR-1266 and miR-185, respectively, through binding to their 3′UTR regions. Transfection of PC3 and DU145 cells with miR-1266 and miR-185 induced apoptosis and reduced proliferation, which also revealed an inverse correlation with BCL2 and BCL2L1 gene expression in the treated cells. CONCLUSION: Our data suggests that miR-1266 and miR-185 may be novel candidates for further research in PCa treatment through the anti-apoptotic pathway.