Upregulation of microRNA-204 inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion in human renal cell carcinoma cells by downregulating SOX4.

MicroRNA-204 (miR-204) has been reported to be frequently downregulated in various types of cancer, including renal, brain, ovary, hematological and colon cancer. The present study, investigated the effects of miR‑204 on renal cell carcinoma. Following transfection of miR‑204, an MTT assay, cell migration assay, cell invasion assay, western blot analysis and luciferase assay were performed in renal cell carcinoma cell lines. It was demonstrated that miR‑204 inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion in 786‑O and A498 cells. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that miR‑204 directly targets SOX4 in renal cell carcinoma. These results suggested that miR-204 may have value as a marker for the early detection of tumor metastasis and a therapeutic target preventing the invasion of renal cell carcinoma.