MiR‐144/451a cluster synergistically modulates growth and metastasis of Oral Carcinoma

Objectives MicroRNA (miRNA) clusters co‐transcribe and function in a coordinated fashion mediating synergistic or antagonistic regulatory effects. MiR‐144 and miR‐451a are deregulated in various cancers but the combined regulatory role of miR‐144/451a cluster in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unexplored. In the present study, we studied the synergistic effect of miR‐144/451a cluster on oral cancer progression. Materials and methods miR‐144 and miR‐451a expression was explored in OSCC cell lines by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR). Proliferation, wound healing, migration and invasion, spheroid formation, and colony formation assays were performed after transfection with miR‐144‐3p, miR‐451a, miR‐144‐5p, and co‐expressed miR‐144/451a. Expression of putative target genes was analyzed using qRT‐PCR and Western blotting. Results miR‐144 and miR‐451a were downregulated in all cell lines. The cell viability and stemness of cancer cell lines were unaltered when treated with miRNA mimics. However, co‐expressed miR‐144/451a significantly reduced the migratory, invasive, and clonogenic potential of cells than individual miRNAs. Conclusion miR‐144/451a cluster functions as a tumor suppressor in OSCC by inhibiting cancer cell invasion, migration, and clonogenic potential.