MiR-661 contributed to cell proliferation of human ovarian cancer cells by repressing INPP5J expression.

Accumulating evidence has emerged important roles for microRNAs (miRNAs) participating in oncogenesis and growth of various cancers. We hypothesized that miR-661 played an important role in cell growth of ovarian cancer. Here, we found miR-661 was upregulated in human ovarian cancer cell lines and clinical tumor tissues. Our results revealed that miR-661 directly targeted INPP5J, thereby acting as tumor promoter in ovarian cancer cells by blocking cell proliferation. Importantly, we identified miR-661 as a positive regulator of INPP5J-induced AKT pathway. Taken together, our study sheds light onto the role of miR-661 as tumor promoter by targeting the INPP5J gene, and then promoting cell proliferation of ovarian cancer.