miR‐664a‐3p functions as an oncogene by targeting Hippo pathway in the development of gastric cancer

OBJECTIVES: It has been accounted that miR‐664a‐3p has different functions in several malignancies; however, the precise role and underlying mechanism in gastric cancer have not been elucidated. Our study aims to explore the function of miR‐664a‐3p on the progression of gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: qRT‐PCR was applied to detect the expression of miR‐664a‐3p in GC tissues and cells. The functions of miR‐664a‐3p on GC in vitro were examined by cell proliferation assay, and transwell assay. Related proteins of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and signal pathway were evaluated by Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis. The bioinformatic, dual‐luciferase assay or ChIP assay were employed to identify the interaction between miR‐664a‐3p and its target gene or Foxp3. The effects in vivo were investigated through a mouse tumorigenicity model. RESULTS: miR‐664a‐3p was frequently upregulated in GC tissues and cells. Elevated expression of miR‐664a‐3p significantly promoted proliferation and invasion in vitro and in vivo. MOB1A was confirmed to be a target of miR‐664a‐3p and restoration of MOB1A attenuated the effects of miR‐664a‐3p. A series of investigations indicated that miR‐664a‐3p contributed to EMT process and inactivated the Hippo pathway by downregulating MOB1A. CONCLUSION: Taken together, we revealed that miR‐664a‐3p functions as an oncogene by targeting Hippo pathway in the development of gastric cancer.