MicroRNA-506 inhibits esophageal cancer cell proliferation via targeting CREB1.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as key regulators of multiple cancers. MicroRNA-506 (miR-506) functions as a tumor suppressor in various types of cancers. However, its role in esophageal cancer remains unclear. In our study, we found that miR-506 was significantly down-regulated in esophageal cancer tissues and cell lines. In vitro assay, our results showed that ectopic over-expression of miR-506 inhibited esophageal cancer cells proliferation, meanwhile, cells proliferation was promoted by miR-506 inhibition. In exploring mechanisms underlying the inhibitive role, we found that miR-506 significantly decreased the expression and transcription activity of cAMP responsive element binding protein 1 (CREB1). CREB1, tumor oncogene, exhibited significantly promote effect on esophageal cancer cell proliferation. Taken together, our data identify a new role of miR-506 in esophageal cancer involving CREB1 suppression.