头颈部鳞状细胞癌预后相关的miRNAs的生物信息学分析

目的 利用癌症基因组图谱（TCGA）数据库微小核糖核酸（miRNAs）表达谱数据分析头颈部鳞状细胞癌（HNSCC）与癌旁正常组织间差异表达的miRNAs,结合临床信息寻找与HNSCC预后相关的miRNAs。方法 从TCGA中下载miRNAs表达数据,包括39例HNSCC患者和39个肿瘤邻近正常组织样本筛选差异表达的miRNAs,应用481例HNSCC患者的miRNAs表达谱和临床信息来评估找到的差异表达miRNAs的预后作用。结果 共筛选出114个差异表达的miRNAs,包括60个上调和54个下调的miRNAs。Kaplan-Meier生存分析显示miR-4652-5p和miR-99a-3p与HNSCC患者预后相关,单因素和多因素Cox回归分析显示,miR-4652-5p和miR-99a-3p是HNSCC的重要预后因素。结论 miR-4652-5p和miR-99a-3p与HNSCC患者预后相关,但miR-4652-5p和miR-99a-3p在头颈鳞状细胞癌发生发展中的分子机制仍需更全面的基础和临床研究进行探讨。     

口腔鳞癌中let-7a、miR-21和miR-27a的表达及其作用

目的 探讨let-7a、miR-21和miR-27a在口腔鳞状细胞癌(OSCCs)中的表达及其作用。方法 采用地高辛标记的锁定核酸修饰的miRNA探针进行原位杂交,对5例正常口腔黏膜组织和30例口腔鳞癌及其癌旁组织中let-7a、miR-21、miR-27a的表达进行定性、定位研究,通过图像分析对实验结果进行了半定量分析。结果 let-07a、miR-21和miR-27a分别在40%（2/5）、80%（4/5）、40%（2/5）的正常口腔黏膜组织中有微弱表达,而在肿瘤组织和癌旁组织均有不同程度的表达。这3种miRNAs在口腔鳞癌组织中的表达均明显高于其癌旁组织和正常组织（P<0.01）,let-7a和miR-27a在癌旁组织中的表达明显高于正常组织（P<0.01）,但miR-21在癌旁组织和正常组织中的表达差异无显著性 (P>0.05)。这3种miRNAs的表达在不同年龄、不同性别及有无淋巴结转移的口腔鳞癌患者之间的差异均无显著性（P>0.05）。miR-27a在中低分化口腔鳞癌组织中的表达明显高于其在高分化肿瘤组织中的表达（P<0.05）,而let-7a和miR-21的表达与肿瘤分化程度无关（P>0.05）。相关分析发现,OSCCs中let-7a与miR-21的表达之间具有相关性,而miR-27a与let-7a和miR-21表达之间均无相关性。结论 Let-7a、miR-21和miR-27a过度表达在口腔鳞癌发生发展中具有一定作用,miR-27a可能是与口腔鳞癌分化程度有关的一个分子标志。在OSCCs中let-7a和miR-21之间可能存在一定联系。     

食管鳞状细胞癌组织中miR-21与ERK1/2表达及临床意义的研究

目的：研究miR-21和ERK1/2在食管鳞状细胞癌(esophageal squamous carcinoma,ESCC)组织中的表达并分析二者的临床意义。方法：原位杂交技术和免疫组化方法分别检测80例食管鳞状细胞癌及癌旁正常组织中miR-21和ERK1/2的表达,Spearman相关统计方法分析miR-21和ERK1/2表达的相关性,并分析二者与ESCC患者临床病理资料的关系。结果：miR-21和ERK1/2在ESCC组织中的阳性表达率和表达量都显著高于癌旁正常组织,尤其在有淋巴结转移的ESCC组织中显著增高,但在ESCC不同性别、年龄、民族、病理类型、肿瘤侵及范围和肿瘤大小间的差异无统计学意义。进一步分析发现miR-21与磷酸化的ERK1/2(p-ERK1/2)在ESCC及癌旁正常组织的表达呈正相关,相关系数为0.570。结论：miR-21和p-ERK1/2与ESCC发生发展密切相关,二者可能协同通过促进肿瘤细胞淋巴结转移增加ESCC的恶性程度。     

lncRNA H19靶向miR-29b-3p对卵巢癌细胞运动和模型裸鼠生存能力的影响

目的探索长链非编码RNA(long non-coding RNA, lncRNA) H19对卵巢癌细胞运动及模型小鼠生存能力的影响。方法 RT-PCR检测H19和miR-29b-3p mRNA在不同癌组织、癌旁组织、正常卵巢上皮细胞及多种卵巢癌细胞中的表达差异。生物学信息预测两者的靶向关系并验证。检测体外培养细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭能力,移植瘤体内生长、裸鼠存活情况,及细胞凋亡和增殖相关蛋白表达。结果 H19和miR-29b-3p mRNA在不同癌组织、癌旁组织、正常卵巢上皮细胞及多种卵巢癌细胞中均存在差异表达。si-H19能显著逆转miR-29b-3p inhibitor对细胞增殖、Ki-67表达、划痕闭合率、侵袭细胞数及VEGF、MMP-2、MMP-9表达的影响。体内实验发现,si-H19能显著逆转miR-29b-3p inhibitor对移植瘤生长、荷瘤裸鼠存活率、细胞凋亡率、Ki-67和VEGF表达的影响。结论 H19通过靶向miR-29b-3p提高卵巢癌细胞运动能力,降低荷瘤裸鼠的生存能力。     

食管鳞癌肿瘤微环境中miRNA与TGF-β1的相关性分析

目的 检测mir-18a-5p、mir-23a-3p、mir-24-3p、mir-25-3p和TGF-β1在食管鳞癌(ESCC)患者肿瘤微环境中的表达水平,分析它们在ESCC发生发展中的作用及相互关系.方法 收集52例ESCC患者癌组织、癌旁组织手术标本;实时荧光定量PCR检测ECA-109、TE-1细胞株、正常食管上皮细胞和52例ESCC患者手术标本的mir-18a-5p、mir-23a-3p、mir-24-3p、mir-25-3p和TGF-β1的mRNA表达水平;Western blot法检测TGF-β1在上述细胞以及组织中的蛋白表达情况.结果 与正常食管上皮细胞相比,mir-18a-5p、mir-24-3p、mir-25-3p、mir-23a-3p在ESCC细胞株ECA-109中的表达明显增高(P＜0.05),其中前3种miRNA在ESCC细胞株TE-1的表达明显增高(P＜0.05);TGF-β1在ESCC细胞株ECA-109、TE-1中明显低表达(P＜0.05).与癌旁组织对照组相比,52例ESCC患者癌组织标本的mir-18a-5p、mir-23a-3p、mir-24-3p、mir-25-3p显著升高[上调比例分别为86.5％ (45/52)、63.5％ (33/52)、78.8％(41/52)、86.5％(45/52),P＜0.05],TGF-β1显著降低(P＜0.05).ESCC患者mir-18a-5p、mir-23a-3p、mir-24-3p、mir-25-3p的高表达和TGF-β1的低表达与患者性别、年龄、肿瘤大小、肿瘤位置等无明显关系,但mir-18a-5p、mir-23a-3p与患者癌组织分化程度相关,mir-25-3p与患者癌组织分化程度、浸润深度和范围相关(P＜0.05).癌组织中TGF-β1的低表达与患者癌组织分化程度、浸润深度和范围相关(P＜0.05).mir-18a-5p、mir-23 a-3p与TGF-β1的表达无相关性,mir-24-3p、mir-25-3p与TGF-β1的表达呈负相关.结论 ESCC肿瘤微环境中mir-18a-5p、mir-23a-3p、mir-24-3p、mir-25-3p和TGF-β 1可能在ESCC的发生发展中有一定作用.     

miR-551b-3p在胃癌组织中低表达并抑制胃癌细胞系HGC-27的增殖、迁移和侵袭

目的探讨miR-551b-3p在胃癌中的表达变化情况,及其对胃癌细胞功能的影响。方法用real-time PCR的方法检测60例胃癌组织及其对应的癌旁组织中miR-551b-3p的表达量,使用miR-551b-3p模拟物(miR-551b-3p mimic)转染胃癌细胞系HGC-27,CCK-8法检测细胞增殖;划痕愈合实验检测细胞迁移;Transwell法检测细胞侵袭。结果 1)miR-551b-3p在胃癌癌症组织中的表达明显低于癌旁组织(P0.05)。2)过表达miR-551b-3p mimic可以明显减弱胃癌细胞系HGC-27的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力。结论 miR-551b-3p在胃癌组织中低表达,并且抑制胃癌细胞系HGC-27的增殖、迁移和侵袭,可能与胃癌发生发展密切相关。     

SOX11、miR-15b-5p在子宫内膜癌组织中表达及与患者临床病理特征的关系

目的 探讨转录因子性别决定区Y框蛋白11(SOX11)、微小RNA-15b-5p(miR-15b-5p)在子宫内膜癌组织中表达及与患者临床病理特征的关系。方法 选取2015年10月至2016年10月120例惠州市第一人民医院行手术治疗的子宫内膜癌患者癌组织及癌旁组织标本。采用免疫组化法检测组织中SOX11的表达,采用实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)法检测组织中SOX11mRNA、miR-15b-5p的表达水平;Pearson法分析子宫内膜癌组织中SOX11mRNA与miR-15b-5p表达水平相关性;Kaplan-Meier法分析SOX11和miR-15b-5p表达水平与子宫内膜癌患者5年生存率的关系;Cox回归分析影响子宫内膜癌患者总生存的危险因素。结果 子宫内膜癌组织中miR-15b-5p表达水平低于癌旁组织,SOX11蛋白阳性率、SOX11 mRNA表达水平高于癌旁组织（P<0.05）。SOX11蛋白及miR-15b-5p表达与患者淋巴结转移、FIGO分期、肌层浸润有关（P<0.05）。miR-15b-5p在SOX11的3’UTR存在相应的结合位点,子宫内膜癌组织...     

miR-130b-3p有望作为人膀胱癌的标志物

目的进一步了解miRNA在膀胱癌中的潜在机制。方法芯片分析4对人膀胱癌组织和相邻正常组织中的miRNA的表达。并用RT-q PCR来验证两个最上调的miRNA及其靶基因的表达是否符合miRNA/mRNA芯片结果。通过相关性分析和双荧光素酶报告实验推断并验证miR-130b-3p可以靶向PTEN。应用CCK8、EDU、流式细胞术、划痕、Transwell和细胞骨架等实验证明miR-130b可以影响膀胱癌细胞的增殖、凋亡、迁移和侵袭。用Western blot检测PI3K/AKT和整合素β1/FAK信号通路的关键靶蛋白。结果人膀胱癌中miR-130b-3p表达高于癌旁且与PTEN表达呈负相关。miR-130b-3p可下调PTEN表达,导致PI3K/AKT和整合素β1/FAK信号通路的激活,且与膀胱癌EJ细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭相关。细胞转染miR-130b-3p抑制剂时,可以重排细胞骨架。结论本结果揭示miR-130b/PTEN有望用于人膀胱癌诊断和治疗的标志物。     

miR-106b-5p通过靶向MMP-9调控HTR-8/SVneo细胞生物学行为的研究

目的 探讨miR-106b-5p对HTR-8/SVneo细胞增殖、侵袭、迁移的影响及其与基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9的靶向关系。方法 收集80例子痫前期（PE）及30例正常孕妇胎盘组织。选取HTR-8/SVneo细胞，分为Vector组、MMP-9组、Scramble组、si-MMP-9组、miR-106b-5p组、si-miR-106b-5p组、miR-NC组、NC组、miR-106b-5p+si-NC组及miR-106b-5p+si-MMP-9组。CCK-8实验检测增殖能力，Transwell实验检测侵袭能力，划痕实验检测迁移能力，荧光定量聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）检测细胞MMP-9基因mRNA及miR-106b-5p表达水平，Western blot检测细胞MMP-9蛋白表达水平，TargetScan在线网站预测miR-106b-5p与MMP-9结合位点，双萤光素酶报告基因实验验证miR-106b-5p与MMP-9的靶向关系。结果 轻度、重度PE孕妇胎盘组织MMP-9基因mRNA、蛋白及miR-106b-5p表达水平低于正常孕妇（P<0.01）。重度PE孕妇胎盘组织MM...     

微小RNA-140-5p通过靶向葡萄糖转运蛋白1抑制食管鳞状细胞癌细胞的增殖和侵袭能力

目的探讨微小RNA-140-5p(miR-140-5p)在食管鳞状细胞癌(esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, ESCC)中的表达及其在ESCC细胞增殖和侵袭中的作用。方法即时荧光定量PCR(real-time quantitative PCR, qPCR)分析ESCC组织和细胞样本中miR-140-5p的表达。将阴性对照和miR-140-5p类似物转染Eca109和KYSE70细胞, 细胞增殖与活性检测试剂盒(CCK-8)和Transwell分别检测转染后细胞的增殖和侵袭能力的变化, 双荧光素酶报告实验证实miR-140-5p与葡萄糖转运蛋白1(Glut1)的相互作用, Western blot用来检测转染后Glut1蛋白的表达。结果 GEO数据分析结果表明, ESCC组织中miR-140-5p的表达水平显著低于正常组织, 差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.01)。qPCR结果显示, ESCC组织和细胞中miR-140-5p的表达均显著低于正常组织和正常食管上皮细胞Het-1A, 差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.01)。miR-140-5p的表...     

Identification of miR-375 as a potential prognostic biomarker for esophageal squamous cell cancer: A bioinformatics analysis based on TCGA and meta-analysis

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that aberrantly expressed miRNAs in cancer tissues regulated various cellular processes related to carcinogenesis. The present study aimed to identify the differentially expressed miRNAs between esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) and adjacent normal esophageal tissue (ANET). In our present study, we identified 129 differentially expressed miRNAs between ESCC and ANET by analyzing high-throughput miRNA data downloaded from TCGA database. After investigating the prognostic value of the 129 differential expressed miRNAs, eight miRNAs were found to be associated with prognosis of patients with ESCC. The clinical significance and bio-function of miR-375 was further examined. We performed Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) to identify the top three gene sets that significantly altered between the patients with miR-375 low expression and high expression. In order to explore the mechanism of the development and progression of ESCC, the role of miR-375 in ESCC and its four candidate target genes was examined. At last, we performed a meta-analysis to verify the prognostic value of miR-375 in ESCC. In conclusion, our findings suggest that miR-375 serves as a promising independent prognostic factor for ESCC and function as a tumor suppressor.     

Mir-192 suppresses apoptosis and promotes proliferation in esophageal aquamous cell caicinoma by targeting Bim

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs of endogenous origin. Accumulating studies have shown aberrant miRNA expression plays an important role in many tumor types. However, the mechanisms by which miRNAs regulate esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) development remain poorly understood. In the present study, we assayed expression level of miR-192 in ESCC tissues and cell lines by real-time PCR, and defined the target gene and biological function by luciferase reporter assay, Western blot and apoptosis assay. We first verified that the expression level of miR-192 was significantly increased in ESCC tissues and cancer cells. Moreover, miR-192 over-expression inhibited cells apoptosis and promoted ESCC cells proliferation. We further demonstrated that miR-192 directly targeted 3’-UTR of Bim gene, and inhibited its protein expression. Importantly, Bim could reduce ESCC cells apoptosis ability induced by miR-192. These data suggest an important role of miR-192 in the molecular etiology of ESCC and implicate the potential application of miR-192 in ESCC therapy.     

应用基因芯片检测喉鳞状细胞癌甲醛固定石蜡包埋组织microRNA表达谱

目的 建立以甲醛固定石蜡包埋组织为材料、基于基因芯片技术的microRNA(miRNA)表达谱的分析方法 ;筛选与喉鳞状细胞癌(简称喉癌)生物学特征密切相关的差异表达miRNA.方法 从喉癌甲醛固定石蜡包埋组织中制备总RNA,经质量鉴定后进行荧光标记.采用Agilent公司的容纳723条人类miRNA探针的基因芯片完成杂交实验,以获得喉癌的miRNA表达谱.以GeneSpring GX和R-Project软件处理分析基因芯片实验数据,筛选与喉癌转移相关的差异表达miRNA.结果 从24例甲醛固定石蜡包埋组织标本中获得了符合基因芯片实验质量标准的RNA样品,并完成了基因芯片杂交及数据分析.从中共鉴定到319个miRNA,有96个miRNA在24例喉癌中均有表达,其中与淋巴结转移密切相关的(检错率<0.05)差异表达miRNA有5个,分别为miR-23a* 、miR-28-5p、miR-15a、miR-16和miR-425.结论 甲醛固定石蜡包埋组织可以提供符合基因芯片分析质量要求的miRNA,是研究miRNA的重要样品资源.从喉癌的miRNA表达谱中筛选出的转移相关差异表达miRNA(miR-23a*、miR-28-5p、miR-15a、miR-16和miR-425)有可能成为评估喉癌转移风险的新型分子标志.     

MicroRNA-141 confers resistance to cisplatin-induced apoptosis by targeting YAP1 in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous non-coding RNAs that function as negative regulators of gene expression. Alterations in miRNA expression have been shown to affect tumor growth and response to chemotherapy. In this study, we explored the possible role of miRNAs in cisplatin resistance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). First we assessed the sensitivity of nine human ESCC cell lines (KYSE series) to cisplatin using an in vitro cell viability assay, and then we compared the miRNA profiles of the cisplatin-sensitive and -resistant cell lines by miRNA microarray analysis. The two groups showed markedly different miRNA expression profiles, and 10 miRNAs were found to be regulated differentially between the two groups. When miR-141, which was the most highly expressed miRNA in the cisplatin-resistant cell lines, was expressed ectopically in the cisplatin-sensitive cell lines, cell viability after cisplatin treatment was increased significantly. Furthermore, we found that miR-141 directly targeted the 3'-untranslated region of YAP1, which is known to have a crucial role in apoptosis induced by DNA-damaging agents, and thus downregulated YAP1 expression. Our study highlights an important regulatory role for miR-141 in the development of cisplatin resistance in ESCC.     

应用基因芯片检测喉鳞状细胞癌甲醛固定石蜡包埋组织microRNA表达谱

目的 建立以甲醛固定石蜡包埋组织为材料、基于基因芯片技术的microRNA(miRNA)表达谱的分析方法 ;筛选与喉鳞状细胞癌(简称喉癌)生物学特征密切相关的差异表达miRNA.方法 从喉癌甲醛固定石蜡包埋组织中制备总RNA,经质量鉴定后进行荧光标记.采用Agilent公司的容纳723条人类miRNA探针的基因芯片完成杂交实验,以获得喉癌的miRNA表达谱.以GeneSpring GX和R-Project软件处理分析基因芯片实验数据,筛选与喉癌转移相关的差异表达miRNA.结果 从24例甲醛固定石蜡包埋组织标本中获得了符合基因芯片实验质量标准的RNA样品,并完成了基因芯片杂交及数据分析.从中共鉴定到319个miRNA,有96个miRNA在24例喉癌中均有表达,其中与淋巴结转移密切相关的(检错率<0.05)差异表达miRNA有5个,分别为miR-23a* 、miR-28-5p、miR-15a、miR-16和miR-425.结论 甲醛固定石蜡包埋组织可以提供符合基因芯片分析质量要求的miRNA,是研究miRNA的重要样品资源.从喉癌的miRNA表达谱中筛选出的转移相关差异表达miRNA(miR-23a*、miR-28-5p、miR-15a、miR-16和miR-425)有可能成为评估喉癌转移风险的新型分子标志.     

应用基因芯片检测喉鳞状细胞癌甲醛固定石蜡包埋组织microRNA表达谱

目的 建立以甲醛固定石蜡包埋组织为材料、基于基因芯片技术的microRNA(miRNA)表达谱的分析方法 ;筛选与喉鳞状细胞癌(简称喉癌)生物学特征密切相关的差异表达miRNA.方法 从喉癌甲醛固定石蜡包埋组织中制备总RNA,经质量鉴定后进行荧光标记.采用Agilent公司的容纳723条人类miRNA探针的基因芯片完成杂交实验,以获得喉癌的miRNA表达谱.以GeneSpring GX和R-Project软件处理分析基因芯片实验数据,筛选与喉癌转移相关的差异表达miRNA.结果 从24例甲醛固定石蜡包埋组织标本中获得了符合基因芯片实验质量标准的RNA样品,并完成了基因芯片杂交及数据分析.从中共鉴定到319个miRNA,有96个miRNA在24例喉癌中均有表达,其中与淋巴结转移密切相关的(检错率<0.05)差异表达miRNA有5个,分别为miR-23a* 、miR-28-5p、miR-15a、miR-16和miR-425.结论 甲醛固定石蜡包埋组织可以提供符合基因芯片分析质量要求的miRNA,是研究miRNA的重要样品资源.从喉癌的miRNA表达谱中筛选出的转移相关差异表达miRNA(miR-23a*、miR-28-5p、miR-15a、miR-16和miR-425)有可能成为评估喉癌转移风险的新型分子标志.     

miR-204-5p inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by regulating Nestin

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a highly malignant gastrointestinal tumor, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common histological types of EC. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs closely related to tumorigenesis and tumor progression. In addition, Nestin is an intermediate filament protein (class VI) and contributes to the progression of numerous tumors. However, the correlation between miRNAs and Nestin in ESCC remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between miR-204-5p and Nestin in ESCC. First, Nestin-related miRNAs in ESCC were explored using RNA sequencing. In ESCC tissues and cell lines, the expression of miR-204-5p was decreased detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), whereas Nestin protein level was upregulated identified by Western blotting (WB). Besides, Nestin was the direct target of miR-204-5p in ESCC determined via the luciferase reported assay. Moreover, miR-204-5p regulated Nestin to inhibit ESCC cell proliferation detected by the colony formation assay and promote ESCC cell apoptosis identified using the flow cytometry and TUNEL assay. Furthermore, miR-204-5p suppressed tumorigenesis in vivo evaluated by the murine xenograft tumor model. In conclusion, these results indicated that miR-204-5p inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in ESCC through targeting Nestin, which might provide novel therapeutic targets for ESCC therapy.     

miR-4746促进PRKACB表达上调并促进食管鳞癌细胞增殖

目的研究miR-4746在食管鳞癌中的表达及其对食管鳞癌细胞的增殖的影响。方法收集食管鳞癌患者的癌组织和癌旁组织标本,RT-PCR和Western blot检测miR-4746和PRKACB的表达,并分析二者mRNA水平的相关性。培养EC9706、HET-1A、TE-1细胞,并转染miR-control、miR-4746 mimic或inhibitor,RT-PCR检测PRKACB的表达水平,MTT法检测细胞的增殖水平。结果在食管鳞癌患者的标本中,癌组织中miR-4746和PRKACB的表达显著低于癌旁组织,miR-4746和PRKACB的表达水平呈正相关。在转染miR-4746 mimic后,PRKACB的表达上调,EC9706、HET-1A、TE-1细胞的增殖受到促进;在转染miR-4746 inhibitor后,PRKACB的表达下调,EC9706、HET-1A、TE-1细胞的增殖受到抑制。结论miR-4746促进PRKACB表达上调,并促进食管鳞癌细胞的增殖。     

MicroRNA-301b-3p accelerates the growth of gastric cancer cells by targeting zinc finger and BTB domain containing 4

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to be aberrantly expressed and exert essential roles in the tumorigenesis and progression of gastric cancer (GC). miR-301b-3p has been recognized as a cancer-related miRNA in lung cancer, bladder cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the function of miR-301b-3p in GC progression and its underlying mechanism have not been studied yet. In this study, we found that miR-301b-3p expression was up-regulated in GC tissues compared to adjacent noncancerous tissues. Furthermore, the elevated levels of miR-301b-3p were detected in GC cell lines (SGC-7901, AGS, MKN-45 and MGC-803) as compared with GES-1 cells. Interestingly, GC tissues from patients with tumor size ≥ 5 cm and advanced tumor stages showed obvious higher levels of miR-301b-3p compared to matched controls. Functionally, miR-301b-3p knockdown prominently inhibited cell proliferation, and induced cell cycle arrest at G1 phase and apoptosis in MGC-803 cells. Meanwhile, ectopic expression of miR-301b-3p conversely regulated these biological behaviors of MKN-45 cells. Next, we found that miR-301b-3p knockdown increased, whereas miR-301b-3p overexpression reduced the expression of zinc finger and BTB domain containing 4 (ZBTB4) in GC cells. Accordingly, luciferase reporter assay identified ZBTB4 as a direct target of miR-301b-3p. ZBTB4 overexpression markedly restrained the growth of MGC-803 cells. More importantly, ZBTB4 silencing partially reversed miR-301b-3p knockdown-induced tumor suppressive effects on MGC-803 cells. In conclusion, we firstly revealed that miR-301-3p was highly expressed in GC and contributed to tumor progression via attenuating ZBTB4, which might provide a novel molecular-targeted strategy for GC treatment.