miR-19a-3p targets PMEPA1 and induces prostate cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignant tumors in men. Studies have observed that microRNA (miR)-19a-3p expression levels are downregulated in several types of cancer, and yet the biological function and its underlying mechanisms in the pathogenesis of PCa remain unclear. In the current study, the expression pattern of miR-19a-3p in PCa tissues and cell lines was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The proliferative, migratory and invasive capacity of PCa cells were determined using EdU and Transwell assays following transfection with miR-19a-3p mimics. Additionally, the current study investigated the biological impact and regulation of prostate transmembrane protein androgen induced 1 (PMEPA1) in PCa cells by transfection with PMEPA1 small interfering (si) RNA. It was observed that miR-19a-3p was upregulated in PCa tissue samples and cell lines in vitro. Functional analysis also confirmed that miR-19a-3p overexpression promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of PCa cells. Furthermore, PMEPA1 was identified as a direct target of miR-19a-3p, and siRNA knockdown of PMEPA1 resulted in increased proliferation, migration and invasion of PCa cells, which partially accounts for the effect of miR-19a-3p in tumor metastasis. In conclusion, the findings of the present study suggest that the upregulation of miR-19a-3p expression levels contributes to tumor progression and that one of its underlying mechanisms involves inhibition of PMEPA1 expression.