Tumor suppressor miR-128-3p inhibits metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by targeting ZEB1 in esophageal squamous-cell cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are some short RNAs that regulate multiple biological functions at post-transcriptional levels, such as tumorigenic processes, inflammatory lesions and cell apoptosis. Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox factor 1 (ZEB1) is a crucial mediator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). It induces malignant progression of various cancers including human esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC). In this study, we found that miR-128-3p was downregulated in ESCC tissues and cells by using PCR. Moreover, down-regulated expression of miR-128-3p was testified to be associated with poor prognosis of ESCC patients and might be regarded as an independent prognostic factor. Then, we examined the role of miR-128-3p in ESCC cells, and found that miR-128-3p could suppress the cell migration and invasion in vitro. Furthermore, ZEB1 was confirmed to be a direct target of miR-128-3p by luciferase reporter assay. Rescue experiments proved that EMT was regulated by miR-128-3p via suppression of ZEB1. Taken all together, we conclude that miR-128-3p suppresses EMT and metastasis via ZEB1, and miR-128-3p may be a critical mediator in ESCC.