MiR-194 functions as a tumor suppressor in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma by targeting Wee1

• Main Authors: Pei Li, Yang Yang, Hui Liu, An-Kui Yang, Jin-Ming Di, Guang-Mou Tan, Hai-Feng Wang, Jian-Ge Qiu, Wen-Ji Zhang, Qi-Wei Jiang, Di-Wei Zheng, Yao Chen, Meng-Ning Wei, Jia-Rong Huang, Kun Wang, Zhi Shi, Jin Ye
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2017-01-01
• Series: Journal of Hematology & Oncology
• Subjects: Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma; miR-194; Wee1
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13045-017-0402-6

Abstract The emerging roles of microRNAs (miRs) have been deeply investigated in cancer. However, the role of miR-194 in human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is still unclear. Here, we have demonstrated that miR-194 is significantly downregulated in LSCC tissues and cells, and overexpression of miR-194 inhibits the proliferation, migration, invasion, and drug resistance in LSCC cells. Moreover, Wee1 is identified as a novel direct target of miR-194. Ectopic expression of Wee1 at least in part overcomes the suppressive impacts of miR-194 on the malignant phenotypes of LSCC. Overall, our study provides new sights into the role of miR-194/Wee1 axis in LSCC and suggests a novel miR-194/Wee1-based clinical application for LSCC patients.