miR-1269a promotes tumor growth and progression of liver cancer via regulating Rbms3/c-Myc axis

Abstract Background: MicroRNAs play important roles in regulating liver cancer formation, progression and metastasis. miR-1269a, a cancer associated miRNA, its role in liver cancer is still unclear. Methods: The clinical, survival and miR-1269a expression of both liver cancer and normal tissues were analyzed from the TCGA database. The effects of miR-1269a on liver cancer cells were investigated through cell counting kit-8 assay, Ki67 immunofluorescence staining and animal models (Balb/c nude mice). The interaction between miR-1269a and Rbms3 was investigated via luciferase reporter assay. Results: Here, we showed that miR-1269a was highly expressed in primary patient tumor tissues using the TCGA database. miR-1269a inhibition through overexpressing its sponge in HepG2 and Hep3B cells significantly repressed cell proliferation, but had no effect on cell apoptosis and migration. Through directly targeting the 3’ untranslated region, miR-1269a inhibits Rbms3 expression. Rbms3 inhibition promoted the expression of c-Myc, resulting in the increased proliferation of liver cancer cells. Conclusions: Our results reveal a novel miR-1269a/Rbms3/c-Myc axis, which plays a critical role in liver tumor growth and progression, and may serve as a promising biomarker for the early diagnosis of liver cancer, as well as a possible therapeutic target in liver cancer treatments.