miR-374a-5p inhibits non-small cell lung cancer cell proliferation and migration via targeting NCK1

Emerging studies have indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are involved in regulating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)-associated processes. The present study aimed to evaluate the biological roles of miR-374a-5p in NSCLC. Using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, the expression levels of miR-374a-5p were determined in NSCLC cells and a normal cell line. Functional experiments were performed to investigate the functions of miR-374a-5p in NSCLC. A luciferase activity reporter assay and rescue experiments were performed to validate NCK adaptor protein 1 (NCK1) as a functional target of miR-374a-5p. It was demonstrated that miR-374a-5p levels were decreased in NSCLC cell lines compared with those in a normal cell line. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-374a-5p inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation and migration in vitro. Of note, NCK1 overexpression reversed the effects of miR-375a-5p on NSCLC cell proliferation and migration. The present results confirmed the tumor suppressor role of miR-374a-5p via targeting NCK1 in NSCLC, indicating the importance of the miR-374a-5p/NCK1 axis in NSCLC.