MiR-34-a acts as a suppressor in neuroblastoma progression by targeting CD44.

OBJECTIVE To verify whether micro ribonucleic acid 34-a can exert its negative effects in human neuroblastoma cells. METHODS The study was conducted at The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China during 15 months (from March 2015 to about June 2016). Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to find the differences of micro ribonucleic acid 34-a between metastatic neuroblastoma and primary tumours. We transfected micro ribonucleic acid 34-a mimics and antisense oligonucleotides into neuroblastoma cell line to explore its function in vitro through the variations. Additionally, fluorescent reporter assay was used to clear the targeting site of micro ribonucleic acid 34-a and CD44. Furthermore, protein levels of CD44, the putative target gene of micro ribonucleic acid 34-a, was assessed after transfection by Western blot. RESULTS Compared to the primary neuroblastoma tumours, micro ribonucleic acid 34-a was lower in metastatic neuroblastoma using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (p<0.05). Transfection of micro ribonucleic acid 34-a mimics and antisense oligonucleotides into a neuroblastoma cell line significantly affected cellular activity, migration and invasion (p<0.05_. Fluorescent reporter assays proved that CD44 acts as the target spot of micro ribonucleic acid 34-a for repression in post-transcription level. Micro ribonucleic acid 34-a inhibited the expression of CD44, and increased concentration of micro ribonucleic acid 34-a mimics resulted in a greater decrease in the expression of CD44. CONCLUSIONS Micro ribonucleic acid 34-a might suppress the progression of neuroblastoma through inhibiting the expression of the potential target gene CD44.