MiR-532-5p suppresses renal cancer cell proliferation by disrupting the ETS1-mediated positive feedback loop with the KRAS-NAP1L1/P-ERK axis

Background Despite the fact that miRNAs play pivotal roles in various human malignancies, their molecular mechanisms influencing RCC are poorly understood. Methods The expression of miRNAs from RCC and paired normal renal specimens was analysed by a combined computational and experimental approach using two published datasets and qRT-PCR assays. The functional role of these miRNAs was further identified by overexpression and inhibition assays in vivo and in vitro. Western blots, luciferase assays, and chromatin immunoprecipitation were performed to investigate the potential mechanisms of these miRNAs. Results Bioinformatics analysis and qRT-PCR revealed that miR-532-5p was one of the most heavily downregulated miRNAs. Overexpression of miR-532-5p inhibited RCC cell proliferation, while knockdown of miR-532-5p promoted cell proliferation. Mechanistic analyses indicated that miR-532-5p directly targets KRAS and NAP1L1. Interestingly, ETS1 suppressed the transcription of miR-532-5p by directly binding a special region of its promoter. Moreover, high levels of ETS1, as an oncogene in RCC, were significantly associated with poor survival in a large cohort of RCC specimens. Conclusions Our work presents a road map for the prediction and validation of a miR-532-5p/KRAS-NAP1L1/P-ERK/ETS1 axis feedback loop regulating cell proliferation, which could potentially provide better therapeutic avenues for treating RCC.