MicroRNA-451a is associated with cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis in renal cell carcinoma

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an important class of small, non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level. They are involved in apoptosis, proliferation and migration and are known to have an important role in many types of cancer. Aberrant expression of miRNA-451a (miR-451a) has previously been reported in tumors, however its role in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is currently unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of miR-451a in RCC. The expression of miR-451a was analyzed in 50 paired RCC and normal tissues by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, the effects of miR-451a on cell migration, proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated, using migration scratch, MTT and flow cytometric assays. The present study demonstrated that miR-451a was upregulated in RCC, as compared with paired normal tissues (P<0.05). Downregulation of miR-451a using a synthesized inhibitor, significantly suppressed cell migration and proliferation, and induced apoptosis of renal cancer cells in vitro, as compared with a negative control (P<0.05). In the present study, it was determined that miR-451a may have an important role as a tumor enhancer in RCC. These results imply that miR-451a may be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of RCC.