MiR-449a suppresses cell invasion by inhibiting MAP2K1 in non-small cell lung cancer

Increasing evidence reveals that deregulation of miRNAs contributes to carcinogenesis of the human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Our study discovered that the expression of miR-449a was markedly decreased in NSCLC cells with high metastatic capacity and tissues of positive lymph node metastasis. Moreover, our results showed that miR-449a could act as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting the invasion of NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, miR-449a inhibited the expression of MAP2K1 by direct targeting its 3’UTR, and regulated the activity of MEK1/ERK1/2/c-Jun pathway through an auto-regulatory feedback loop. Furthermore, the histone methylation mediated the decreased expression of miR-449a through SUZ12. Taken together, the novel connection between miR-449a and MAP2K1 demonstrated here provided a new, potential therapeutic target for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.     

Low miR-145 silenced by DNA methylation promotes NSCLC cell proliferation,migration and invasion by targeting mucin 1

MiR-145 has been implicated in the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, its exact mechanism is not well established. Here, we report that miR-145 expression is decreased in NSCLC cell lines and tumor tissues and that this low level of expression is associated with DNA methylation. MiR-145 methylation in NSCLC was correlated with a more aggressive tumor phenotype and was associated with poor survival time, as shown by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Additional multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that miR-145 methylation was an independent prognostic factor for poor survival in patients with NSCLC. Furthermore, we found that restoration of miR-145 expression inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC by the direct targeting of mucin 1 by miR-145. Our results indicate that low miR-145 expression, due to methylation, promotes NSCLC cell proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting mucin 1. Therefore, miR-145 may be a valuable therapeutic target for NSCLC.     

miR-34a inhibits migration and invasion by down-regulation of c-Met expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Several studies have shown that miR-34a represses the expression of many genes and induces G1 arrest, apoptosis, and senescence. In the present study, we identified the role of miR-34a in the regulation of tumor cell scattering, migration, and invasion. Down-regulation of miR-34a expression was highly significant in 19 of 25 (76%) human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues and associated with the metastasis and invasion of tumors. Furthermore, resected normal/tumor tissues of 25 HCC patients demonstrated an inverse correlation between miR-34a and c-Met-protein. In HepG2 cells, ectopic expression of miR-34a potently inhibited tumor cell migration and invasion in a c-Met-dependent manner. miR-34a directly targeted c-Met and reduced both mRNA and protein levels of c-Met; thus, decreased c-Met-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). Taken together, these results provide evidence to show the suppression role of miR-34a in tumor migration and invasion through modulation of the c-Met signaling pathway.     

MicroRNA-9 suppresses uveal melanoma cell migration and invasion through the NF-κB1 pathway

The aggressive course of uveal melanoma is believed to reflect its unusually invasive and metastatic nature, which is associated with the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) pathway. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in the regulation of various biological and pathological processes in cancer, however, the special role of miR-9 in uveal melanoma metastasis is largely unknown. In the present study, we showed that miR-9 is significantly reduced in highly invasive uveal melanoma cell lines, and suppressed migration and invasion of highly invasive cells. Furthermore, miR-9 negatively modulated NF-κB1 expression by direct targeting at its 3'-UTRs. Additionally, downstream targets of NF-κB1, such as MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGFA, were regulated by miR-9 in the same pattern as NF-κB1. Therefore, miR-9 suppresses uveal melanoma cell migration and invasion partly through downregulation of the NF-κB1 signaling pathway.     

MiR-195 suppresses non-small cell lung cancer by targeting CHEK1

MiR-195 suppresses tumor growth and is associated with better survival outcomes in several malignancies including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Our previous study showed high miR-195 plasma levels associated with favorable overall survival of non-smoking women with lung adenocarcinoma. To further elucidate role of miR-195 in NSCLC, we conducted in vitro experiment as well as clinical studies in a cohort of 299 NSCLC samples. We demonstrated that miR-195 expression was lower in tumor tissues and was associated with poor survival outcome. Overexpression of miR-195 suppressed tumor cell growth, migration and invasion. We discovered that CHEK1 was a direct target of miR-195, which decreased CHEK1 expression in lung cancer cells. High expression of CHEK1 in lung tumors was associated with poor overall survival. Our results suggest that miR-195 suppresses NSCLC and predicts lung cancer prognosis.     

Knockdown of Urothelial Carcinoma-Associated 1 Suppressed Cell Growth and Migration Through Regulating miR-301a and CXCR4 in Osteosarcoma MHCC97 Cells

Liver cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the world and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Accumulating evidence has highlighted the critical role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in various cancers. The present study aimed to explore the role of lncRNA urothelial carcinoma-associated 1 (UCA1) in cell growth and migration in MHCC97 cells and its underlying mechanism. First, we assessed the expression of UCA1 in MHCC97 and three other cell lines by RT-qPCR. Then the expression of UCA1, miR-301a, and CXCR4 in MHCC97 cells was altered by transient transfection. The effects of UCA1 and miR-301 on cell viability, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were assessed. The results revealed that UCA1 expression was relatively higher in MHCC97 cells than in MG63, hFOB1.19, and OS-732 cells. Knockdown of UCA1 reduced cell viability, inhibited migration and invasion, and promoted cell apoptosis. However, the effect of UCA1 knockdown on cell growth and migration was blocked by miR-301a overexpression, whose expression was regulated by UCA1. We also found that miR-301a positively regulated CXCR4 expression. CXCR4 inhibition reversed the effect of miR-301a overexpression on cell growth and migration. Moreover, miR-301a activated the Wnt/ -catenin and NF- B pathways via regulating CXCR4. The present study demonstrated that UCA1 inhibition exerted an antigrowth and antimigration role in MHCC97 cells through regulating miR-301a and CXCR4 expression.     

MiRNA-10a is upregulated in NSCLC and may promote cancer by targeting PTEN

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in human cancer including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we compared miRNA expression microarray of SPC-A-1sci (high metastatic) and SPC-A-1 (weakly metastatic) cells. We found that miRNA-10a was up-regulated in NSCLC compared with corresponding normal tissues. High expression of miR-10a was associated with tumor node metastasis and lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-10a promoted NSCLC cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. We found that PTEN was a direct target of miR-10a in NSCLC. Also miR-10a activated the PTEN/AKT/ERK pathway. We suggest that miR-10a contributes to NSCLC by targeting PTEN.     

非小细胞肺癌组织中miR-449a／b／c的表达及临床意义

目的 探讨非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）组织中微小RNA（miRNA）-449a/b/c的表达水平、临床意义及与预后的关系。方法 收集2013年1月至2015年12月收治的82例手术切除的NSCLC组织及69例癌旁组织标本,采用荧光实时定量PCR（QPCR）法检测以上组织中miR-449a/b/c的表达并比较3者在NSCLC组织及癌旁组织中的分布差异,Pearson相关分析NSCLC组织中miR-449a、miR-449b和miR-449c表达的相关性,分析NSCLC组织中miR-449a/b/c表达与临床病理特征（性别、年龄、肿瘤大小、TNM分期、组织学类型和淋巴结转移）的关系,同时根据随访数据比较不同miR-449a/b/c表达患者的预后情况。结果 QPCR结果显示,NSCLC组织中miR-449a、miR-449b和miR-449c的平均表达量依次为0.210±0.028、0.359±0.031和0.133±0.020,均低于癌旁组织,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;NSCLC组织中miR-449a、miR-449b和miR-449c的表达均呈正相关,相关系数rmiR-449a/b、rmiR-449a/c和rmiR-449b/c分别为0.246、0.390和0.331（P＜0.05）;NSCLC组织中miR-449a/b/c表达均与TNM分期有关,miR-449a和miR-449c表达与肿瘤大小有关。全组中位总生存期（OS）为12.4个月,其中miR-449a低表达组和高表达组的中位OS分别为11.2个月和13.5个月（P＞0.05）,miR-449b低表达组和高表达组的中位OS分别为9.6个月和14.2个月（P＜0.05）,miR-449c低表达组和高表达组的中位OS分别为11.7个月和13.7个月（P＞0.05）。结论 miR-449a/b/c在NSCLC组织中表达降低,且均与TNM分期有关,miR-449b表达与预后有关,可能与NSCLC发生、发展有关,对NSCLC诊断及病情评估有一定价值。     

HMGB1 promotes HCC progression partly by downregulating p21 via ERK/c-Myc pathway and upregulating MMP-2

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) was found to be over-expressed in many kinds of human cancer, which binds with several receptors and activates RAGE-Ras-MAPK, Toll-like receptors, NF-κB, and Src family kinase signaling pathways and plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. However, the function and mechanism of HMGB1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of HMGB1 on HCC progression and explore new molecular mechanism. HMGB1 transient knockdown, stable knockdown, and re-expression were performed by transfection with specific siRNA, shRNA, or expression vector in HCCLM3 cells. Results showed that transient knockdown HMGB1 prevented cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis, induced S phase arrest, and inhibited migration and invasion in vitro, and stable knockdown HMGB1 inhibited xenograft growth in Balb/c athymic mice in vivo. Molecular mechanism investigation revealed that knockdown HMGB1 significantly reduced the activation of MAPKs, including ERK1/2, p38, SAPK/JNK, as well as MAPKKs (MEK1/2, SEK1) and its substrates (c-Jun, c-Myc); downregulated NF-κB/p65 expression and phosphorylation level; decreased MMP-2 expression and activity; and upregulated p21 expression. Interestingly, c-Myc was firstly found to be involved in the promoting function of HMGB1 on HCC progression, which provided a novel clue for the inhibitory effect of HMGB1 on p21 expression by a p53-independent pathway. Collectively, these findings indicated that HMGB1 promoted HCC progression partly by enhancing the ERK1/2 and NF-κB pathways, upregulating MMP-2, and downregulating p21 via an ERK/c-Myc pathway.     

miR-449a通过下调HDAC1表达抑制肺癌细胞的增殖、侵袭和迁移北大核心

目的:分析miR-449a对人非小细胞肺癌细胞株A549增殖、侵袭和迁移的影响。方法:通过Real-time PCR检测人肺成纤维细胞MRC-5、人非小细胞肺癌细胞株A549和HCC827中miR-449a和组蛋白去乙酰化酶1(HDAC1)的表达水平。利用CCK-8法和Transwell法分析miR-449a对A549细胞增殖、侵袭和迁移能力的影响。使用生物信息软件分析miR-449a的靶向集合位点,并构建荧光素酶报告基因质粒,通过荧光素酶报告基因法分析miR-449a对HDAC1的靶向调控作用。通过Western blot分析miR-449a和HDAC1表达水平对A549细胞增殖及EMT相关分子表达水平的影响。建立裸鼠皮下瘤模型分析miR-449a和HDAC1对A549细胞体内增殖的影响。结果:miR-449a在MRC-5细胞中表达水平显著高于A549(P<0.0001)和HCC827(P<0.01);HDAC1在MRC-5细胞中表达水平显著低于A549(P<0.0001)和HCC827(P<0.01)。CCK-8法检测显示在A549细胞中转染miR-449a能够显著抑制其增殖。Transwell法检测显示在A549细胞中转染miR-449a能够显著抑制其侵袭和迁移(P<0.0001)。生物信息学预测显示miR-449a能够靶向结合HDAC1的3'-UTR;双荧光素酶报告基因分析显示,miR-449a能够靶向作用于HDAC1的3'-UTR抑制萤光素酶表达,Real-time PCR的结果表明过表达miR-449a能够显著抑制HDAC1的表达。在A549细胞中转染miR-449a或针对HDAC1小干扰RNA(siRNA)均能够下调HDAC1的表达,抑制细胞体内、外增殖;同时E-cadherin和ZO-1的表达水平下降,而N-cadherin、Fibronectin和Vimentin的表达水平增加。结论:miR-449a通过靶向抑制HDAC1的表达,抑制肺癌细胞的增殖、侵袭和迁移。     

MicroRNA-653靶向调控OIP5基因介导mTOR信号通路对非小细胞肺癌细胞生物学特性的影响

目的:探讨microRNA-653（miR-653）靶向调控OIP5基因介导mTOR信号通路对非小细胞肺癌（non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC）细胞生物学特性的影响。方法:选取人正常内皮细胞BEAS-2B和4种NSCLC细胞系（H1650、H1975、A549和H292）,分为control组、mimics组、mimics-NC组、inhibitor组和inhibitor-NC组进行瞬时转染,利用荧光定量PCR、蛋白印迹、MTT、划痕实验、Transwell侵袭实验、流式细胞术等方法分析miR-653对NSCLC细胞中OIP5、mTOR信号通路相关基因表达及增殖、迁移、侵袭、凋亡和细胞周期分布的影响。结果:与control组、mimics-NC组和inhibitor-NC组相比,mimics组mTOR信号通路被抑制,细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭能力明显降低,凋亡率明显增加,细胞多停滞于G1期（均P＜0.05）;然而,inhibitor组mTOR信号通路被激活,细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭能力明显升高,而凋亡率明显降低,G1期细胞数量较少（均P＜0.05）。结论:miR-653可通过负调控OIP5基因抑制mTOR通路激活,从而阻止NSCLC的发生与发展。     

MicroRNA-510 Plays Oncogenic Roles in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by Directly Targeting SRC Kinase Signaling Inhibitor 1

An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) may play key roles in various cancer carcinogenesis and progression, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the expressions, roles, and mechanisms of miR-510 in NSCLC have, up to now, been largely undefined. In vivo assay showed that miR-510 was upregulated in NSCLC tissues compared with that in adjacent nontumor lung tissues. miR-510 expression was significantly correlated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. In vitro assay indicated that expressions of miR-510 were also increased in NSCLC cell lines. Downregulation of miR-510 suppressed NSCLC cell proliferation and invasion in vitro. We identified SRC kinase signaling inhibitor 1 (SRCIN1) as a direct target gene of miR-510 in NSCLC. Expression of SRCIN1 was downregulated in lung cancer cells and negatively correlated with miR-510 expression in tumor tissues. Downregulation of SRCIN1, leading to inhibition of miR-510 expression, reversed cell proliferation and invasion in NSCLC cells. These results showed that miR-510 acted as an oncogenic miRNA in NSCLC, partly by targeting SRCIN1, suggesting that miR-510 can be a potential approach for the treatment of patients with malignant lung cancer.     

Delta-tocotrienol augments cisplatin-induced suppression of non-small cell lung cancer cells via inhibition of the Notch-1 pathway

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), accounting for 80% of lung cancers, is the leading cause of all cancer deaths. Previously, we demonstrated that delta-tocotrienol inhibits NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion and induces apoptosis by down-regulation of the Notch-1 signaling pathway. The objective of this study was to investigate whether delta-tocotrienol, could enhance the anticancer effects of cisplatin. Treatment with a combination of delta-tocotrienol and cisplatin resulted in a dose-dependent, significant inhibition of cell growth, migration, invasiveness, and induction of apoptosis in NSCLC cells, as compared to the single agents. This was associated with a decrease in NF-κB DNA binding activity, decrease in Notch-1, Hes-1, Bcl-2 and increase in cleaved Caspase-3 and PARP expressions. These results suggest that down-regulation of Notch-1, via inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathways by delta-tocotrienol and cisplatin, in combination, could provide a potential novel approach for tumor arrest in NSCLC, while lowering the effective dose of cisplatin.     

miR-224-5p靶向调控KIF23通过NF-κB信号通路影响宫颈癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭

目的:探索微小RNA-224-5p(miR-224-5p)对驱动蛋白超家族23(KIF23)的靶向关系及对宫颈癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响。方法:采用实时定量PCR(qPCR)检测正常宫颈细胞(H8)和宫颈癌细胞(SiHa、HeLa、MS751、HT-3)中miR-224-5p和KIF23 mRNA表达,选择miR-224-5p表达量最低的HeLa细胞开展后续研究。在HeLa细胞中转染si-KIF23或miR-224-5p,探讨敲减KIF23或过表达miR-224-5p对HeLa细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响。噻唑蓝(MTT)比色法检测细胞增殖,Transwell小室法检测细胞迁移和侵袭,蛋白质印迹法(Western Blot)检测KIF23、细胞周期蛋白D1(CyclinD1)、基质金属蛋白酶2(MMP2)、基质金属蛋白酶9(MMP9)和NF-κBp65蛋白水平;生物学信息预测和双荧光素酶报告基因实验分析miR-224-5p和KIF23之间的靶向关系;共转染si-KIF23和anti-miR-224-5p,观察miR-224-5p低表达对敲减KIF23诱导的HeLa细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭和NF-κB信号通路活化的影响。结果:miR-224-5p在SiHa、HeLa、MS751、HT-3细胞中表达下调(P<0.05),KIF23 mRNA和蛋白表达上调(P<0.05)。敲减KIF23或过表达miR-224-5p显著降低HeLa细胞存活率、细胞迁移数和侵袭数,并显著抑制CyclinD1、MMP2、MMP9蛋白水平(P<0.05)。另外,敲减KIF23显著降低细胞中NF-κBp65表达量(P<0.05)。miR-224-5p靶向调控KIF23表达。miR-224-5p低表达可以逆转敲减KIF23抑制HeLa增殖、迁移、侵袭及CyclinD1、MMP2、MMP9蛋白表达的作用,以及逆转敲减KIF23抑制NF-κB信号通路活化的作用。结论:miR-224-5p靶向调控KIF23并通过NF-κB信号通路抑制宫颈癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭。     

The Interaction Between lncRNA SNHG1 and miR-140 in Regulating Growth and Tumorigenesis via the TLR4/NF-kB Pathway in Cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common primary hepatobiliary carcinoma. The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1) has been reported to contribute to the progression of multiple cancers. Nonetheless, the functions and hidden mechanism of SNHG1 remain unclear in CCA. In this study, the SNHG1 levels were boosted in CCA cell lines, and knockdown of SNHG1 repressed CCA cell proliferation and invasion in vitro. The data also demonstrated that miR-140 could act as a target of SNHG1 in CCA and inhibited CCA cell proliferation and invasion, whereas the inhibition effects were relieved by overexpression of SNHG1. In addition, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), an NF- B-activating signal, was identified to be a target of miR-140. SNHG1, as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-140, enhanced TLR4 expression and activated NF- B signaling, thereby regulating growth and tumorigenesis in CCA. Animal experiments further confirmed this conclusion. Collectively, these findings not only uncovered a key role of SNHG1/miR-140/TLR4/NF- B signaling axis in CCA tumorigenesis and progression but also denoted the probable utilization of SNHG1 as a therapeutic target for CCA.     

血小板通过上调NF-κB信号通路增强乳腺癌循环肿瘤细胞的侵袭和迁移能力

目的:探讨血小板接触对乳腺癌循环肿瘤细胞（circulating tumor cells,CTCs）侵袭和迁移能力的影响。方法:利用CytoQuestTM CR抓取乳腺癌患者血液中的循环肿瘤细胞,通过RT-PCR检测Wnt2基因表达水平。通过Western blot检测肿瘤细胞上皮细胞-间充质转化（epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT）以及NF-κB信号通路相关蛋白的表达情况。通过细胞划痕、Transwell实验检测血小板的直接接触对肿瘤细胞侵袭和迁移能力的影响。通过封闭乳腺癌细胞中NF-κB的表达,观察NF-κB信号通路在肿瘤细胞侵袭和迁移能力中的重要作用。结果:RT-PCR结果显示,乳腺癌患者血液中的CTCs内Wnt2基因高表达。Western blot结果显示,血小板与乳腺癌细胞的直接接触增加了肿瘤细胞的上皮间质化进程,并诱导激活了肿瘤细胞的NF-κB通路。细胞划痕和Transwell实验结果显示,与血小板共培养可促进乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和迁移。此外,通过封闭乳腺癌细胞中NF-κB基因,可以降低Wnt2的表达,抑制肿瘤细胞的上皮间质化进程,减弱乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和迁移能力。结论:血小板与肿瘤细胞的直接接触促进了乳腺癌循环肿瘤细胞的侵袭和迁移能力,封闭NF-κB信号通路可能是抑制乳腺癌循环肿瘤细胞侵袭和迁移能力的有效策略。     

MicroRNA-29a靶向抑制PTEN基因诱导非小细胞肺癌细胞上皮间质转化的机制研究

目的:探讨microRNA-29a（miR-29a）及其靶蛋白PTEN在TGF-β1诱导非小细胞肺癌（non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC）细胞上皮间质转化（epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT）中的作用机制。方法:选择A549细胞经终浓度为10 ng/ml TGF-β1诱导48 h后,分为Blank组（不转染任何序列）、阴性对照（negative control,NC）组（转染阴性对照序列）、IN组（转染miR-29a inhibitors）、siRNA组（转染PTEN-siRNA）和IN+siRNA组（共转染miR-29a inhibitors和PTEN-siRNA）。普通显微镜观察各组细胞形态学变化;免疫荧光检测各组细胞中E-cadherin表达水平;qRT-PCR法检测EMT相关因子及PTEN mRNA表达水平;Western blotting法检测转染后EMT相关因子、PTEN、Akt和p-Akt蛋白的表达;划痕实验检测各组细胞迁移能力。构建裸鼠移植瘤模型,观察肿瘤生长,免疫组化检测裸鼠肿瘤组织中PTEN及EMT相关因子蛋白表达水平。结果:A549细胞转染miR-29a inhibitors后TGF-β1诱导细胞的上皮间质转化显著受到抑制,N-cadherin、Vimentin及Slug的mRNA和蛋白表达水平在IN组中显著低于Blank组和NC组,但在siRNA组和IN+siRNA组中显著上调（均P<0.05）。与Blank组和NC组相比,IN组PTEN mRNA和蛋白表达水平明显升高,且p-Akt的表达显著降低,细胞迁移率显著下降,而siRNA组和IN+siRNA组PTEN mRNA和蛋白表达明显降低,p-Akt的表达显著上升,细胞迁移率显著升高（均P<0.05）。裸鼠移植瘤实验结果显示与Blank组和NC组相比,IN组肿瘤生长较慢,重量降低,E-cadherin和PTEN蛋白表达显著升高,N-cadherin、β-catenin、Vimentin、Slug蛋白表达显著降低（均P<0.05）。结论:TGF-β1能诱导NSCLC细胞发生EMT,且能上调miR-29a并抑制PTEN的表达水平;抑制miR-29a的表达水平可能通过上调靶基因PTEN,促进Akt磷酸化,抑制EMT的发生。     

MicroRNA-152 Inhibits Cell Proliferation,Migration, and Invasion in Breast Cancer

The aim of the present study was to investigate the roles of microRNA-152 (miR-152) in the initiation and progression of breast cancer. The expression level of miR-152 was detected in human breast cancer tissue and a panel of human breast cancer cell lines using qRT-PCR. Results found that miR-152 expression was significantly downregulated in breast cancer tissue samples compared to adjacent noncancerous tissues as well as in breast cancer cell lines. Overexpression of miR-152 significantly suppressed breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Luciferase reporter assay results found that ROCK1 is a direct and functional target gene of miR-152 in breast cancer. In addition, downexpression of ROCK1 could inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. These findings indicate that miR-152 inhibited breast cancer growth and metastasis through negative regulation of ROCK1 expression. These data suggest that miR-152/ROCK1 pathway may be a useful therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.