MicroRNA-16-1 Inhibits Tumor Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in A549 Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Cells

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. Plenty of microRNAs (miRs), except miR-16-1, have been reported to be associated with the initiation and progression of NSCLC. This study was aimed to explore the impacts of miR-16-1 on NSCLC cells. Human NSCLC cell line A549 was used, and the expression of miR-16-1 was up- or downregulated by transfecting with miR-16-1 mimics or inhibitors. Afterward, cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected using MTT assay, BrdU assay, and Annexin V/FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit. The expression changes of proliferation- and apoptosis-related factors were measured by Western blot. Results showed that miR-16-1 overexpression significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis when compared with the control group. Besides, miR-16-1 overexpression significantly upregulated the protein expressions of p27, Bax, procaspase 3, and cleaved caspase 3, whereas it downregulated Bcl-2. Conversely, miR-16-1 suppression affected NSCLC cell proliferation and apoptosis, and these protein expressions resulted in completely opposite impacts. In conclusion, miR-16-1 overexpression could inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis via regulating the expression of p27, Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase 3 in NSCLC cells.