MicroRNA-182 (miR-182) is frequently dysregulated in various cancers, but its functional role and molecular targets in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) remain to be fully elucidated. This study investigated the oncogenic effects of miR-182 overexpression on the SW480 metastatic CRC cell line, focusing on its impact on the key tumor suppressors PTEN and FOXO1.SW480 cells were transfected with miR-182 mimic. Cell proliferation and viability were assessed using the MTT assay and flowcytometric analysis of the cell cycle. The expression levels of miR-182, PTEN, and FOXO1 were quantified via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Ectopic expression of miR-182 significantly promoted SW480 cell proliferation, as evidenced by increased cell viability and a higher percentage of cells in the DNA synthesis (S) phase of the cell cycle. Concurrently, qRT-PCR analysis confirmed a substantial downregulation of both PTEN and FOXO1 mRNA expression in miR-182-transfected cells compared to controls. Our findings demonstrate that miR-182 acts as an oncomiR in metastatic CRC by enhancing tumor cell proliferation and directly or indirectly suppressing the expression of the PTEN and FOXO1 tumor suppressors. • Overexpression of miR-182 promotes tumor growth in CRC cells. • miR-182 downregulates FOXO1 and PTEN, enhancing colorectal tumor progression. • miR-182 shows potential as a biomarker or therapeutic target in CRC.
Rezaei et al. (Sun,) studied this question.