miR-154 inhibits prostate cancer cell proliferation by targeting CCND2

Background: Research has shown reduced expression levels of miR-154 in prostate cancer (CaP). However, the function and molecular mechanisms of miR-154 in this cancer type remains unknown. Objective: The aims of this study were to examine the functional significance of miR-154 in CaP cells and to identify the novel molecular targets regulated by miR-154. Materials and methods: miR-154 expression significantly decreased in primary CaP samples compared with nonmalignant samples measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Restoration of miR-154 lowered the potential of CaP cell lines to grow and proliferate in vitro evaluated by CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry. miR-154 down-regulated the expression of CCND2 by binding to its 3'-untranslated region by luciferase reporter assay. Conclusions: miR-154 plays a prominent role in CaP proliferation by suppressing CCND2, and it may provide a new approach to the treatment of CaP. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier Inc.