MicroRNA-802 promotes the progression of osteosarcoma through targeting p27 and activating PI3K/AKT pathway

Purpose Increasing evidences suggest dysfunctions of microRNAs (miRNAs) are playing important part in tumors. Therefore, the role of miR-802 in osteosarcoma (OS) was exploited. The object was to evaluate the effect of miR-802 and verify its influence on p27 Kip1 (p27) in OS. Methods RT-qPCR experiment was used to detect miR-802 and p27 expression in OS tissues and cells. We explored the function of miR-802 through Transwell assays. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT serine/threonine kinase pathway and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) was detected by Western blot assays. Luciferase assay was used to testify the target of miR-802. Results MiR-802 expression was elevated in OS, which was related to poor clinical outcome in OS patients. MiR-802 overexpression promoted OS migration, invasion and EMT. Further, p27 is a direct target of miR-802. P27 elevation counteracted the promotion effect of OS on EMT, migration and invasion induced by miR-802. In addition, miR-802 overexpression inactivated PI3K/AKT pathway via targeting p27 in OS. Conclusion MiR-802 promoted the progress of EMT, migration and invasion in OS via targeting p27. This newly identified miR-802/p27/PI3K/AKT axis may represent potential targets for OS.