Purpose: Previous studies have demonstrated that RSK4 inhibits the proliferation of gastric cancer cells and the occurrence of tumors. However, to date, studies involving microRNAs (miRNAs) that target RSK4 have rarely been reported. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the miRNAs that target RSK4.
Materials and Methods: We screened miRNAs related to RSK4 in miRDB, microT-CDS, TargetScan, and mirDIP databases and found 18 miRNAs. We chose miR-548d-3p for follow-up research, identified the interaction site in RSK4 by comparing the sequence, and mutated it. Thereafter, we used the dual-luciferase reporter system, real-time PCR (RT-PCR), and Western blotting to assess the effect of miR-548d-3p on RSK4. The proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells were evaluated using MTT assay, propidium iodide (PI), EdU, annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit, wound healing assay, and transwell assay after overexpression of miR-548d-3p and RSK4. Finally, a nude mouse tumorigenesis experiment was conducted to explore the role of RSK4-targeting miR-548d-3p in tumorigenesis.
Results: miR-548d-3p negatively regulated the expression of RSK4, resulting in suppressed apoptosis, enhanced proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells, and accelerated tumor growth. In addition, an increase in miR-548d-3p expression enhanced the mRNA levels of CDK2, cyclin A1, cyclin D1, Bax, Bcl-2, N-cadherin, and Vimentin, and decreased E-cadherin mRNA levels by targeting RSK4.
Conclusion: miR-548d-3p promotes gastric cancer by lowering the expression of RSK4.
Keywords: microRNA, gastric cancer, RSK4, miR-548d-3p