Abstract: Objective To study the function and mechanism of miR-320e in drug-resistance of pancreatic cancer. Methods Q-PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-320e in 5-Fu resistant pancreatic cancer cells. MiR-320e was overexpressed in PATU8988 and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells and then drug sensitivity and cell proliferation were checked. In addition, luciferase reporter assay and Western blot were employed to identify the target of miR-320e. Results miR-320e was significantly up-regulated in the 5-Fu resistant PATU8988 cells. The overexpression of miR-320e in pancreatic cancer cells strongly promoted cell survival when treated with 5-Fu, and also advanced cell proliferation rate. miR-320e also decreased the protein level of PDCD4 and PDCD4 3′UTR dependent luciferase activity. miR-320e promoted drug-resistance by targeting PDCD4. Conclusions miR-320e can induce 5-Fu resistance of pancreatic cancer cells and might be developed as new drug-resistance marker and therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.

Key words: miR-320e, pancreatic cancer, drug-resistance