MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs and function as key regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. In this study, we found that miR-495 reduces cell growth, induces apoptosis and suppresses the migration of endometrial cancer by directly inhibiting FOXC1 expression. Further analysis revealed that FOXC1 promotes growth and migration and functions as an oncogene in vitro. FOXC1 overexpression reversed the cellular responses mediated by miR-495 in endometrial cancer cells. We also found that miR-495 suppresses the growth of endometrial cancer in vivo. Altogether, these results indicate that miR-495 acts as a tumour suppressor gene by targeting FOXC1 at the post-transcriptional level in endometrial cancer.
Keywords: Apoptosis; Endometrial cancer; FOXC1; MicroRNA; Oncogene.