MiR-32-5p Regulates the Proliferation and Metastasis of Cervical Cancer Cells by Targeting HOXB8

Objective: To investigate the effects of miR-32-5p on the biological behaviors of cervical cancer (CCa), the relevant mechanism was studied in CCa cell lines (HeLa) in vitro.

Patients And Methods: The expression level of miR-32-5p was detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). TargetScan, miRDB, microRNA databases and Luciferase method were conducted to predict and validate the target gene of miR-32-5p; the effects of miR-32-5p on cell proliferation, clone formation, invasion and migration capacity were analyzed in vitro study.

Results: We found miR-32-5p to be significantly inhibited in CCa tissues and cells. Bioinformatics approach together with Luciferase method screened Homeobox B8 (HOXB8) as a downstream regulatory target of miR-32-5p. Besides, HOXB8 was incredibly high expression in CCa tissues and cells. After transfection in HeLa cells by miR-32-5p mimics, HOXB8 expression was indicated to be negatively correlated with miR-32-5p both in qRT-PCR and Western blot (WB) assays. The subsequent experiments showed that decreased expression of HOXB8 resulting from up-regulation of miR-32-5p could weaken the cell proliferation, clone formation, invasion and migration ability of HeLa cells.

Conclusions: MiR-32-5p could inhibit the cellular malignant behavior through regulating the expression of HOXB8 in HeLa cells. We provide a new clue for the study of molecular mechanisms of CCa. MiR-32-5p/HOXB8 axis might serve as potential target for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CCa.