Downregulation of miRNA-15a and miRNA-16 promote tumor proliferation in multiple myeloma by increasing CABIN1 expression

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant disorder characterized by the neoplastic growth of plasma cells in the bone marrow. MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) modulate key regulatory cell pathways via their influence on target genes, and may serve a crucial function in tumorigenesis. Previous studies have indicated that the downregulation of miR-15a and miR-16 contributes to MM pathogenesis. However, the functional mechanisms of miR-15a and miR-16 in MM remain unclear. In the present study, potential target sites for miR-15a and miR-16 were identified on the calcineurin-binding protein 1 (CABINI) mRNA sequence from analyses of previously published crosslinking, ligation and sequencing of hybrids data. Again-of-function study was also performed, which determined that miR-15a/16 directly targeted CABINI mRNA and negatively regulated the expression of CABINI at the mRNA and protein level in MM cells. A cell proliferation assay demonstrated that the upregulation of miR-15a and miR-16 inhibited the proliferation of MM cells via targeting CABINI. miR-15a and miR-16 were significantly decreased in MM specimens, compared with in normal specimens, whereas CABIN1 mRNA levels were significantly higher in MM samples compared with in normal samples. CABINI mRNA levels were negatively correlated with miR-15a and miR-16 expression levels in MM tissues, as determined using Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis. The results of the present study indicate that the downregulation of miR-15a and miR-16 promotes tumor proliferation in MM by increasing CABIN1 expression. The present study may aid elucidation of the functions of miR-15a and miR-16 and their function in MM carcinogenesis.