miR-384 targets metadherin gene to suppress growth, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNA-384 (miR-384) has been reported to function as a tumor suppressor in multiple cancers; however, its role in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. METHODS: We measured expression levels of miR-384 in GC cell lines and in a normal gastric cell line (GES-1). The association between miR-384 and the metadherin gene (MTDH) was assessed by luciferase reporter assay and western blot. The effects of the miR-384/MTDH axis on GC cell behaviors were measured by CCK-8, wound-healing, and transwell invasion assays. RESULTS: miR-384 was significantly downregulated in GC cell lines compared with normal gastric cells. MTDH was identified as a direct target of miR-384 by bioinformatics analysis, luciferase assay, and western blot. Functional assays demonstrated that miR-384 inhibited GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through targeting MTDH. CONCLUSION: These results reveal that miR-384 acts as a tumor suppressor in GC and suggest that the miR-384/MTDH axis may be a potential therapeutic target for GC.