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MicroRNA-16 inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of human lung cancer cells by modulating the expression of YAP1.

PURPOSE
Accounting for significant human morbidity and mortality across the globe, lung cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer as far as incidence and mortality is concerned. MicroRNAs (miRs) have shown an amazing potential to act as therapeutic agents for the management of several human diseases. This study investigated the function of miR-16 in lung cancer.


METHODS
The normal lung cancer cell line MRC3 and lung cancer cell lines SK-MES-1, A549, MS-53 and SK-LU-1 were used in the present study. The qRT-PCR was used for expression profiling of miR-16 and yes associated protein 1 (YAP1). WST-1 assay was used to monitor the proliferation rate. Flow cytometry was used for cell cycle analysis. Apoptosis was examined by DAPI and annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining. TargetScan analysis was performed to identify the potential target of miR-16 and western blot analysis was done to estimate the protein expression.


RESULTS
The gene expression analysis showed miR-16 to be suppressed in lung cancer tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-16 inhibited the growth and metastasis of the DMS-53 lung cancer cells via induction of the apoptotic cell death. Bioinformatic approaches revealed miR-16 exerts its effects by targeting YAP1. YAPI expression was found elevated in lung cancer tissues and its silencing halted the growth of the DMS-53 lung cancer cells. Nonetheless, YAP1 overexpression could reverse the growth inhibitory effects of miR-16.


CONCLUSION
Taken together, miR-16 may serve as novel therapeutic target for the treatment of lung cancer.