MiR-153 regulates metastases of gastric cancer through Snail.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in tumorigenesis and cancer metastases of gastric carcinoma (GC). Recently, miR-153 was reported as a tumor suppressor miRNA silenced in GC, whereas the underlying mechanisms are much lacking. Here, we reported that miR-153 levels were significantly decreased and Snail levels were significantly increased in GC specimens, compared to paired adjacent non-tumor gastric tissue. Moreover, the levels of miR-153 and Snail were inversely correlated. Bioinformatics analyses and luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-153 targeted the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of Snail messenger RNA (mRNA) to inhibit its translation. Overexpression of miR-153 inhibited Snail-mediated cell invasiveness, while depletion of miR-153 increased Snail-mediated cell invasiveness in both Transwell cell migration assay and scratch wound healing assay. Thus, our data suggest that miR-153 suppression in GC promotes Snail-mediated cancer metastases. Re-establishment of miR-153 levels in GC may suppress cancer invasion.