MicroRNA-132 inhibits human osteosarcoma cell proliferation and migration by targeting SOX4

Dysregulation of microRNA-132 (miR-132) has been observed in various types of human cancers. We investigated the biological functions and associated molecular mechanisms of miR-132 activity in human osteosarcoma tissues and cells. miR-132 expression was measured in human osteosarcoma tissues by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. miR-132 mimics, inhibitors, and negative controls were transfected into osteosarcoma cells. Cell proliferation and migration were measured by CCK-8 and wound healing assays, respectively. Luciferase reporter assays and western blotting were performed to confirm the expression of miR-132 target genes. miR-132 expression in osteosarcoma tissues was dramatically decreased compared to that in the adjacent normal tissues. Additionally, miR-132 overexpression significantly suppressed the proliferation and migration ability of osteosarcoma cells in vitro, whereas the opposite effect was observed after transfection of a miR-132 inhibitor. Moreover, sexdetermining region Y-related high mobility group box 4 (SOX4), identified as a target gene of miR-132, was inversely correlated with miR-132 expression in osteosarcoma tissues. Furthermore, downregulation of SOX4 expression by siRNA inhibited proliferation and invasion in MG63 cells. Our findings indicate that miR-132 overexpression inhibits the proliferation and migration of osteosarcoma cells by downregulating SOX4. These results suggest that miR-132 could be considered a potential therapeutic target in osteosarcoma.