Low Expression of miR-491 Promotes Esophageal Cancer Cell Invasion by Targeting TPX2.

Background/Aims: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have a key role in carcinogenesis and cancer development, but the role of miRNAs in the progression of esophageal cancer (EC) remains unclear. Methods: The TE-1 and Eca-109 EC cell lines were used. The expression of miR-491 and candidate gene TPX2 in EC samples (n=99) were detected by RT-PCR. The cells invasive ability was determined by transwell assay. The luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the regulation mechanism. Results: A decreased expression of miR-491 was detected in the EC clinical samples compared with the corresponding adjacent tumor tissues. Aberrant expression of miR-491 regulated cells invasion and EMT markers. Furthermore, we verified that TPX2 was a target gene of miR-491. Conclusions: miR-491 may play a critical role in EC.