MicroRNA-204 targets SOX4 to inhibit metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been found in human cancers. In this study, the functions of miR-204 and SOX4 (sex-determining region Y-box 4) and their interaction on lung adenocarcinoma cell metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: MiR-204 and SOX4 expressions were examined via quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in lung adenocarcinoma. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of SOX4 and EMT markers. The relationship between miR-204 and SOX4 was verified by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Transwell assay was utilized to explore the functions of miR-204 and SOX4 associated with lung adenocarcinoma metastasis. RESULTS: First, downregulation of miR-204 was examined in lung adenocarcinoma tissues. Moreover, overexpression of miR-204 inhibited metastasis and EMT of lung adenocarcinoma cells. In addition, SOX4 has been shown to be a direct target of miR-204 in lung adenocarcinoma. SOX4 silencing suppressed cell metastasis and EMT in lung adenocarcinoma. And the upregulation of SOX4 impaired the inhibitory effect of miR-204 on lung adenocarcinoma metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-204 inhibited cell metastasis and EMT in lung adenocarcinoma through targeting SOX4.