MiR-194-5p inhibited metastasis and EMT of nephroblastoma cells through targeting Crk.

Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common solid childhood tumors all over the world. MicroRNAs (miRs) contribute to tumorigenesis of various cancers through targeting gene. The present study investigated the vital role of miR-194-5p and its underlying mechanism in the progression of WT. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay indicated downregulation of miR194-5p and upregulation of Crk, in WT tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. Transfection with miR-194-5p mimics into nephroblastoma cells showed a significant decline in cell migration and invasion, which was detected by Transwell assay. Luciferase assay confirmed that Crk was a direct target gene of miR-194-5p. More important, the mesenchymal to epithelial transition (EMT) biomarkers containing E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Zeb1 were examined by Western blot, and revealed that miR-194-5p mimics decreased the levels of N-cadherin and Zeb1 but increased E-cadherin, which suggested that miR-194-5p inhibited EMT. Crk knockdown could reverse the increased nephroblastoma cell invasion, migration and EMT caused by miR-194-5p inhibitor. Interestingly, qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that overexpression of miR-194-5p deactivated HGF/c-Met/Scr signaling pathway via targeting Crk. In conclusion, miR-194-5p inhibited nephroblastoma cell metastasis and EMT in the progression of WT by targeting Crk. Thus, miR-194-5p might be a potential target in WT particularly for the prevention of metastasis and EMT.