Let‐7 reduces the proliferation and migration of oral cancer cells via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

• Published in: Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology 2024-09, Vol.38 (9), p.e23834-n/a
• Main Authors: Liu, Yang, Li, Kunshan, Zhang, Jing, Jin, Linyu, Xu, Hui, Duan, Yanhao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 1-Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; AKT protein; Animals; Annexin V; Apoptosis; Assaying; Bioinformatics; Cancer; Cell activation; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell migration; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Gene expression; High mobility group proteins; HMGA2 Protein - genetics; HMGA2 Protein - metabolism; Humans; In vivo methods and tests; Let‐7; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; MicroRNAs - genetics; MicroRNAs - metabolism; migration; Molecular modelling; Mouth Neoplasms - genetics; Mouth Neoplasms - metabolism; Mouth Neoplasms - pathology; Oral cancer; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases - metabolism; PI3K/AKT signaling pathway; Polyimide resins; Polymerase chain reaction; proliferation; Proteins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt - metabolism; Reporter gene; Reverse transcription; Signal Transduction; Wound healing
• ISSN: 1095-6670; 1099-0461; 1099-0461
• DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23834

The involvement of let‐7 in the occurrence and progression of various cancers has been well‐documented. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying its impact on oral cancer development remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the role of let‐7 in oral cancer progression and investigate its underlying molecular mechanisms. The expression of let‐7 and high mobility group A2 (HMGA2) mRNA was assessed using the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Western blot analysis was employed to detect the expression of key proteins in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway as well as HMGA2 protein levels. The targeting relationship between let‐7 and HMGA2 was predicted through bioinformatics methods and confirmed via luciferase reporter gene assay. The effects of let‐7 and HMGA2 on the functionality of oral cancer cells were evaluated using 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide, colony formation assay, Transwell assay, wound healing assay, and Annexin V/PI apoptosis assay. Additionally, the impact of let‐7 on the growth of oral cancer cells in vivo was investigated by inducing subcutaneous tumor formation in nude mice. Let‐7 effectively suppresses the proliferation, migration, and invasion of oral cancer cells by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. HMGA2, a downstream target gene of let‐7, exhibits high expression in oral cancer. However, overexpression of HMGA2 diminishes the inhibitory effects induced by let‐7 overexpression on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of oral cancer cells. The occurrence and progression of oral cancer cells are inhibited by Let‐7 through the downregulation of HMGA2, potentially mediated by the inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activation. The objective of this study is to investigate the role and potential function of let‐7 in oral cancer through clinical, in vivo, and in vitro experiments. Additionally, we explored the downstream regulatory mechanism of let‐7 in oral cancer, specifically examining the relationship between let‐7 and HMGA2/PI3K/AKT axis as well as the impact of let‐7 on the progression of oral cancer cells by regulating HMGA2. Let‐7 may have significant implications for future diagnosis and treatment strategies for oral cancer.