Overexpression of miR-106a enhances oxaliplatin sensitivity of colorectal cancer through regulation of FOXQ1

Chemotherapy resistance poses a major challenge for the clinical treatment of colorectal cancer, therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine its underlying mechanisms. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were used to determine the microRNA (miRNA)/mRNA and protein expression levels, respectively. A dual luciferase assay was conducted for verification of the interaction between miR-106a and 3′untranslated region (UTR) of Forkhead box Q1 (FOXQ1). Cell viability was assessed using an MTT assay. In the present study, it was demonstrated that miR-106a is involved in regulating oxaliplatin sensitivity of colorectal cancer. Transfection of miR-106a mimics slightly inhibited colorectal cancer cell growth and sensitized colorectal cancer cells to oxaliplatin exposure. In addition, miR-106a overexpression induced a decrease of FOXQ1 at mRNA and protein levels in colorectal cancer cells. The enhanced expression of miR-106a also increased the expression of Wnt target genes, including vascular endothelial growth factor-A and matrix metallopeptidase 2, which were reported to be regulated by FOXQ1. It was predicted and validated that miR-106a could repress FOXQ1 expression via direct binding to 3′UTR. Elevation of miR-106a and a decrease of FOXQ1 expression levels were detected in tumor tissues from patients with oxaliplatin-sensitive colorectal cancer, compared with patients with oxaliplatin-resistant colorectal cancer. Furthermore, there was a significant association between miR-106a and FOXQ1 mRNA levels. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that miR-106a increased oxaliplatin sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells through direct repression of FOXQ1 expression.