miR-144-3p Inhibits the Invasion and Metastasis of Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells 
by Targeting IRS1

Abstract

Background and objective MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression, influence cellular processes, and promote disease development. Variations in miRNA expression have been observed in many diseases, including hepatitis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of miR-144-3p on the invasion and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma by targeting recombinant insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1). Methods The expression of miR-144-3p in patients with lung adenocarcinoma was queried through bioinformatics database. MirTarPathway was used to analyze the KEGG enrichment pathway of miRNA. The expression and plasmid transfection efficiency of miR-144-3p in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Transwell assay was used to detect the changes of cell invasion and migration ability in different groups. Bioinformatics determined the key genes (Hub genes) of miR-144-3p; Double luciferase target assay was used to detect the mutual binding of miR-144 and IRS1. Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of IRS1 in different cell lines and the expression of after overexpression of miR-144. Results The expression of miR-144-3p in lung adenocarcinoma tissues was decreased, qRT-PCR results indicated that the expression of miR-144-3p in lung adenocarcinoma cell A549 was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the overexpressed plasmid was successfully transfected (P<0.05). Overexpression of miR-144 decreased the ability of cell migration and invasion (P<0.05). The expression of IRS1 was up-regulated in lung adenocarcinoma tissues. Survival analysis showed that patients with lung adenocarcinoma with high IRS1 expression had a poor prognosis (P<0.05). Double luciferase assay results showed that miR-144 could specifically identify 3'-UTR of IRS1 and inhibit reporter enzyme expression (P<0.05). Western blot indicated that the expression of IRS1 was increased in A549 cells (P<0.05). After overexpression of miR-144, the expression level of IRS1 protein was decreased (P<0.05). Transwell experiment proved that miR-144-3p could inhibit invasion and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma cells by targeting IRS1 (P<0.05). Conclusion MiR-144-3p inhibits the invasion and migration of A549 cells through targeted regulation of IRS1, thus playing an anticancer role in tumors.

Keywords

• lung neoplasms
• mir-144-3p
• invasion and metastasis
• insulin receptor substrate 1