miR-1231 Is Downregulated in Prostate Cancer with Prognostic and Functional Implications

Background: Our study investigated the expression levels of miR-1231 in prostate cancer tissues and cell lines and explored its potential prognostic significance as well as its functional effects on prostate cancer cells. Methods: miR-1231 expression levels were detected in prostate cancer tissues and prostate cancer cell lines using qRT-PCR. The prognostic significance of miR-1231 in prostate cancer was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox regression analyses. Evaluation of the impact of ectopic expression or inhibition of miR-1231 on aggressive tumor behavior (cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion) of prostate cancer cell lines involved the CCK-8 and Transwell assays. Results: miR-1231 expression was downregulated in both prostate cancer tissues and cell lines. Downregulation of miR-1231 was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis, higher TNM stage, higher clinical stage, and shorter overall survival. The expression of miR-1231 was predicted as a prognostic factor for prostate cancer patients. Additionally, we found overexpression of miR-1231 suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion of prostate cancer cell linesin vitro. EGFR was a direct target of miR-1231. Conclusion: Taken together, our results indicate that miR-1231 expression plays a tumor-suppressive role in prostate cancer. It is downregulated in prostate cancer and may suppress prostate cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by targeting EGFR, and it may be a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer treatment in the future.