Overexpression of microRNA-101 causes anti-tumor effects by targeting CREB1 in colon cancer

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that aberrantly expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the initiation and progression of numerous types of human cancer. Although a number of miRNAs have been demonstrated to be associated with the diagnosis, progression and prognosis of colon cancer, the function of miRNA-101 (miR-101) in colon cancer remains unclear, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of miR-101 in colon cancer require further investigation. The present study investigated the role of miR-101 in colon cancer, and the results suggested that miR-101 expression levels were significantly decreased in colorectal carcinoma tissues and in three types of colorectal cancer cell lines. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-101 inhibited cell proliferation and migration in HT29 cells. The transcription factor cAMP responsive element binding protein 1 (CREB1) was identified to be a direct target of miR-101 using a luciferase reporter assay, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis and western blot assay. miR-101 overexpression in tumor xenografts in vivo decreased the expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and CREB1, and suppressed tumor growth. The present results suggested that miR-101 may serve a role in colon cancer by directly targeting CREB1. Collectively, the present study may contribute to the development of improved diagnosis and prognostics for colon cancer.