The effect of microRNA-129 on the migration and invasion in NSCLC cells and its mechanism

<b>Purpose:</b> To investigate the effect of microRNA-129 on the migration and invasion in (Non small cell lung cancer) NSCLC cells and involved mechanism. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> A549 cells were cultured and transfected with microRNA-129 (miR-129) mimic. Wound-healing assay and transwell assay were used to analyses the migration and invasion of A549 cells, respectively. The SOX4 expression changes were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to determine the binding site between miR-129 and the 3’-UTR of SOX4. A549 cells, miR-129 up-regulated A549 cells and miR-129 + SOX4 up-regulated A549 cells were treated with TGF-β in order to induce the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The miR-129 and SOX4 after TGF-β treatment were measured. The EMT markers level changes were detected by western blot. <b>Results:</b> Up-regulation of miR-129 significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of A549 cells. miR-129 mimic transfection could reduce the mRNA and protein level of SOX4. Dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-129 could bind to the 3’-UTR of SOX4. TGF-β induced EMT accompanied by the reduction of miR-129 and elevating of SOX4. Up-regulation of miR-129 could reverse the EMT marker changes caused by TGF-β, however, the SOX4 overexpression antagonized this effect of miR-129. <b>Conclusions:</b> miR-129 could suppress the migration and invasion of A549 cells. The potential mechanism may be that miR-129 inhibit EMT via targeting SOX4.