miR-654-5p promotes gastric cancer progression via the GPRIN1/NF-κB pathway

BACKGROUND: Gastric carcinoma (GC) ranks the fifth most common cancer worldwide, with high incidence and mortality rates. Numerous microRNAs (miRNAs), including miR-654-5p, have been implicated in the pathophysiological processes of tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, the mechanism of miR-654-5p in GC is unclear. OBJECTIVES: Our study is devoted to exploring the function and molecular mechanism of miR-654-5p on the malignant cell behaviors of GC. METHODS: The gene expression was detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. GC cell proliferation and motion were assessed by colony formation assay and transwell assay. The binding capacity between miR-654-5p and G protein-regulated inducer of neurite outgrowth 1 (GPRIN1) was explored by luciferase reporter and RNA pulldown assays. The protein levels were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: miR-654-5p expression was higher in GC cells and tissues than control cells and tissues. miR-654-5p promoted GC cell growth and motion. Moreover, our findings showed that miR-654-5p was bound with GPRIN1. Importantly, downregulation of GPRIN1 rescued the inhibitory influence of miR-654-5p knockdown on GC cell malignant behaviors. Additionally, miR-654-5p activated the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway by regulation of GPRIN1. CONCLUSIONS: miR-654-5p facilitated cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in GC via targeting the GPRIN1 to activate the NF-κB pathway.