Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the role and potential mechanism of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-212 in the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: The expression levels of miR-212 and TPD52 were measured in NPC clinical tissues and cell lines by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The specific molecular mechanism was analyzed in the NPC cell line C666-1 and 6-10B with miR-212 mimic or inhibitor. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, wound healing and transwell migration and invasion assays were used to explore the effects of miR-212 on NPC proliferation, migration and invasion. Luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the relationship between miR-212 and TPD52. Western blot was used to analyze the regulation of miR-212 on TPD52 protein, EMT marker proteins and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. The transplanted tumor mouse model was used to evaluate the miR-212 expression on tumor growth in vivo.

Results: MiR-212 expression was significantly decreased in NPC tissues and cell lines. Functionally, overexpression of miR-212 suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion of NPC cells. Additionally, miR-212 was confirmed to directly target TPD52. Upregulation of TPD52 diminished the anti-cancer effect of miR-212 in NPC cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated that overexpression of miR-212 reduced the amount of marker proteins involved in the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in NPC cells. Upregulation of miR-212 inhibited tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusions: MiR-212 played an inhibitory role in the progression of NPC by targeting TPD52, and inhibited the EMT and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.