Decreased miR-124-3p promoted breast cancer proliferation and metastasis by targeting MGAT5.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been shown to regulate gene expression involved in tumor progression of multiple malignancies. Numerous studies have indicated that N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (MGAT5), is an important tumorigenesis and metastasis-associated enzyme in breast cancer (BC). But, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which ncRNAs modulate MGAT5 expression in BC remain undetermined. In this study, we demonstrated that miR-124 expression at a low level in BC tissue was associated with poor prognosis of BC patients. Meanwhile, miR-124 reduced BC cell proliferation and metastasis. MGAT5 was confirmed as a direct target of miR-124. MGAT5 restoration attenuated the inhibitory effects of miR-124 on BC proliferation and metastasis in vitro and vivo. Overall, we provide new insight into the mechanisms by which miR-124 inhibits BC progression, suggesting the potential of miR-124 and MGAT5 as biomarkers for early diagnosis of breast cancer to provide innovative ideas and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of BC.