Let7a inhibits the growth of endometrial carcinoma cells by targeting Aurora-B

MicroRNAs negatively regulate target gene expression at the post-transcriptional level during carcinogenesis. Recent advances revealed that the expression levels of several miRNAs are up- or down-regulated in endomenial carcinoma (EC). Here we identify dysregulated miRNAs in EC and we elucidate the essential role of let-7a. The expression of 86 miRNAs in EC was found to be different from adjacent normal endometrial tissues. Moreover, miR-let-7 members are down-regulated in EC and let-7 miRNAs are highly associated with endometrial cancer. A functional investigation revealed that let-7a suppressed proliferation of HeLa cells by targeting Aurora-B. Let-7a also antagonizes Aurora-B functions in promoting carcinoma cell proliferation by down-regulating Aurora-B protein level. Let-7a could be applied for gene therapy against endometrial carcinogenesis. (C) 2013 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.