miR‐92a promotes cervical cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and migration by directly targeting PIK3R1

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the role of miR‐92a in regulating the malignant progression of cervical cancer and its specific molecular mechanism. METHODS: qRT‐PCR was used to detect the differential expression of miR‐92a in cervical cancer and adjacent tissues. The effects of overexpression of miR‐92a on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HeLa and SiHa cells were tested. Luciferase assays and rescue experiments were used to investigate the regulatory mechanism of miR‐92a on its downstream gene PIK3R1 and their interaction in the progression of cervical cancer. RESULTS: miR‐92a was significantly up‐regulated in cervical cancer tissues. Overexpression of miR‐92a significantly increased the ability of cervical cancer cells to proliferate, migrate, and invade. PIK3R1 was identified as a downstream gene of miR‐92a. In cervical cancer tissues, PIK3R1 was found to be down‐regulated and negatively correlated with the level of miR‐92a. Overexpression of PIK3R1 reversed the promotional effect of overexpressed miR‐92a on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cervical cancer. CONCLUSION: miR‐92a is up‐regulated in cervical cancer tissues. miR‐92a promotes the malignant development of cervical cancer by negatively regulating PIK3R1.