MicroRNA-377 inhibits non-small-cell lung cancer through targeting AEG-1.

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to be involved in tumorigenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms of microRNA-377 (miR-377) in NSCLC remain unknown. Hence, in the present study, we aimed to explore the role of miR-377 in the development of NSCLC, with identifying its target genes. The results showed that miR-377 expression was significantly decreased in NSCLC tissues as well as in NSCLC cell lines. Moreover, high expression of miR-377 could markedly inhibit the viability, proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells. The bioinformatics analysis results showed that astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1), an oncogene as previously reported, was a potential target gene of miR-377, which was further validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Besides, the expression of AEG-1 in protein level was decreased by miR-377 overexpression, but not in mRNA level. In addition, AEG-1 overexpression could reverse the inhibitory effects on NSCLC cells caused by miR-377 transfection. In conclusion, our results suggested that miR-377 played an important role in the development of NSCLC by regulating AEG-1 and may be a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC.