Abstract: Objective To assess the effect of miR-141 on proliferation of human oral squamous cell carcinoma and target relationship between miR-141 and EphA2. Methods pcDNATM6.2-GW-pre-miR-141 was constructed and identified by qRT-PCR. EphA2-WT and EphA2-MT sequences were respectively cloned into pmirGLO plasmid. The potential proliferation function of miR-141 on CAL27 cells was analyzed by MTT. The target relationship between miR-141 and EphA2 was identified by Dual-Luciferase Assay System, qRT-PCR and Western blot. Results We constructed successfully the recombinant plasmids, including pcDNATM6.2-GW-pre-miR-141, pmirGLO-EphA2-WT and pmirGLO-EphA2-MT, and the transfection efficiency of pre-miR-141 was increased in CAL27 cells compared to control group(P＜0.001). miR-141 could suppress the proliferation of CAL27 cells(P＜0.05). Furthermore, a significant reduction of luciferase activities of CAL27 cells co-transfected with pre-miR-141 and EphA2-WT(P＜0.001). The mRNA(P＜0.001) and protein expression levels of EphA2 were decreased in CAL 27 cells transfected with pre-miR-141. Conclusion Overexpression of miR-141 could suppress cell proliferation by targeting EphA2 in CAL27 cells.

Key words: oral squamous cell carcinoma, miR-141, EphA2, proliferation