MiR-144-3p inhibits gastric cancer progression and stemness via directly targeting GLI2 involved in hedgehog pathway

• DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03093-w
• Publication Date: 2021-10-17T21:04:48Z
• Authors: Yixun Lu; Benlong Zhang; Baohua Wang; Di Wu; Chuang Wang; Yunhe Gao; Wenquan Liang; Hongqing Xi; Xinxin Wang; Lin Chen
• Keywords: GLI2

Abstract Background Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most commonly diagnosed worldwide. Due to dismal prognosis, identifying novel therapeutic targets in GC urgently needed. Evidences have shown that miRNAs played critical roles regulation of tumor initiation and progression. GLI family zinc finger 2 (GLI2) has been reported be up-regulated facilitate progression multiple malignancies. In this study, we focused on GLI2-targeted clarifying underlying mechanism GC. Methods Paired fresh gastric tissues were collected from gastrectomy patients. GLI2 expression detected cell lines. Bioinformatics analysis was used predict dual-luciferase reporter assay applied for target verification. CCK-8, clone formation, transwell flow cytometry carried out determine proliferation, migration, invasion cycle cells. Tumorsphere formation performed detail stemness stem cells (GCSCs). Xenograft models nude mice established investigate role miR-144-3p vivo. Results frequently upregulated indicated a poor survival. Meanwhile, downregulated negatively correlated with direct gene miR-144-3p. MiR-144-3p overexpression inhibited migration Enhanced tumorsphere CD44 GCSCs. Restoration partly reversed suppressive effect showed could inhibit tumorigenesis Conclusions served as an essential suppressor Mechanistically, by, at least part, regulating expression.