BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs which play a crucial role in diverse biological processes and could contribute to cancer development and progression. MiR-200bc/429 have been found to be aberrantly expressed in osteosarcoma (OS). However, the features of miR-200bc/429 in the tumorigenesis and progress of OS remain poorly understood.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The miR-200bc/429 expression was firstly identified in human OS clinical samples and cell lines by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). After transfection with miR-200bc/429 mimics or negative control in U2OS or MG63 cells, cell proliferation was measured by CCK-8 assay. Following that, wound-healing assay and Transwell invasion assay were performed to evaluate cell migration and invasion, respectively. Finally, luciferase reporter assay and Western blot analysis were performed to determine if peripheral myelin protein-22 (PMP22) is a direct target of miR-200bc/429.

RESULTS: Results revealed that miR-200bc/429 were significantly depressed in human OS tissues and cell lines by qRT-PCR. Then, restoration of miR-200bc/429 significantly inhibited cell proliferation (P<0.05) and invasion (P<0.05) in vitro. Luciferase reporter assay and Western blot analysis revealed that miR-200bc/429 could directly target PMP22 3’ untranslated region (UTR) and inhibit its expression in U2OS and MG63 cells.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that miR-200bc/429 inhibit OS cells proliferation and invasion by targeting PMP22, and function as a tumor suppressor and may be a patent molecular marker as well as a potential target for OS therapy.