MTA1 promotes the invasion and migration of non-small cell lung cancer cells by downregulating miR-125b

Background: the metastasis-associated gene 1 (mta1) has been identified as one critical regulator of tumor metastasis. previously,we identified mir-125b as a downregualted mirna in non-small cell lung cancer (nsclc) cell line upon mta1 depletion. however,the role of mir-125b and mta1 in the regulation of nsclc metastasis remains unclear. methods. stable mta1 knockdown nsclc cell lines 95d and spc-a-1 were established by transfection with mta1 shrna. the effects of mta1 depletion on the expression of mir-125b and cell migration and invasion were examined by real-time pcr,wound healing and matrigel invasion assay. results: mta1 knockdown led to the upregulation of mir-125b level in nsclc cells. furthermore,mta1 knockdown reduced while mir-125b inhibitor enhanced cell migration and invasion of nsclc cells. notably,mir-125b inhibitor antagonized mta1 sirna induced inhibition of cell migration and invasion. conclusion: mta1 and mir-125b have antagonistic effects on the migration and invasion of nsclc cells. the newly identified mta1-mir-125b axis will help further elucidate the molecular mechanism of nsclc progression and suggest that ectopic expression of mir-125b is a potentially new therapeutic regimen against nsclc metastasis. © 2013 li et al.; licensee biomed central ltd.