Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most malignant cancers. MicroRNAs (miRs) were reported to play important roles in GBM recently. However, the role of a novel miR-186-5p in GBM tumorigenesis is still elusive. Using bioinformatics, miR-186-5p was identified as potential regulators of both fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 and NF-κB subunit RelA. Luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the direct recognition FGF2 and RelA mRNAs by miR-186-5p. Invasion and migration assays were employed to study the effect of miR-186-5p on GBM cell growth in vitro. Xenograft tumor animal model was established to elucidate the in vivo function of miR-186-5p. MiR-186-5p directly targeted mRNAs of both FGF2 and RelA, and repressed their expressions. Invasive and migratory abilities of GBM cells and growth of xenograft tumors were significantly inhibited by miR-186-5p, which can be restored by re-introduction of FGF2 and RelA expressions. MiR-186-5p is a novel tumor suppressor miR that functions to inhibit tumorigenesis of GBM both in vitro and in vivo, by targeting both FGF2 and RelA. MiR-186-5p/FGF2/RelA pathway may be potentially used as molecular targets of in the clinical treatment of GBM.
Keywords: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2; Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM); MicroRNAs (miRs); Tumorigenesis.