Increasing evidence has demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) have a crucial role in the initiation and progression of tumors. The present study aimed to investigate the expression and the role of miRNA-454-3p in human cervical cancer. Human cervical cancer cells were transfected with miRNA-454-3p mimics or negative control miRNA. MTT, Transwell and wound healing assays were performed to investigate the effects of miRNA-454-3p overexpression on cell proliferation, invasion and migration, respectively. The results indicated that miRNA-454-3p was down-regulated in human cervical cancer cell lines, while its ectopic overexpression significantly inhibited their proliferation, migration and invasion. Furthermore, a luciferase reporter assay confirmed that c-met was a novel target of miRNA-454-3p in HeLa cells. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that miRNA-454-3p exhibits significant tumor-suppressive effects in cervical cancer by targeting c-met, and may be a potential means of treating cervical cancer.
Keywords: c-met; cervical cancer; invasion; microRNA-454-3p; migration.