miR-143 regulates proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells and exhibits altered expression in colorectal cancer tissue.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and a leading cause of death. Studies have shown that abnormal expression of microRNAs, small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression, is linked to the occurrence of cancer. This study sought to determine the role of microRNA-143 (miR-143) in colorectal cancer. Reduced levels of miR-143 expression were detected in colorectal cancer tissues compared to normal adjacent tissue. Transfection of artificially synthesized miR-143 mimics into SW-480 cells, a colorectal cancer cell line, resulted in increased levels of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Further, cells transfected with miR-143 mimics showed a reduction in the proportion of cells in S phase and an increase in the proportion of cells in G1 phase. The altered expression levels of miR-143 in colorectal cancer and its ability to affect the behavior of colorectal cancer cells suggest miR-143 could be used as a new target for the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer.