miR-485-5p inhibits viability and migration and invasion abilities of hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells by targeting SOX5

AIM: To investigate the effects of microRNA-485-5p (miR-485-5p) on the viability, migration and invasion abilities of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: The expression levels of sex determining region Y-box 5 (SOX5) mRNA and miR-485-5p in the hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells were detected by RT-qPCR with normal hepatocyte THLE-3 as control. Western blot was used to measure the expression levels of SOX5, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Ki67, cyclin D1 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). The viability of Hep3B cells was measured by MTT assay. The migration and invasion abilities of the Hep3B cells were detected by Transwell assay. Dual-luciferase reporter assay system was applied to verify the relationship between miR-485-5p and SOX5. RESULTS: Compared with the control cells, the expression level of miR-485-5p was decreased in hepatocellular carcinoma cells Hep3B, Huh7 and HCCLM3 (P<0.05), while the expression of SOX5 at mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). Over-expression of miR-485-5p inhibited the viability, migration and invasion of Hep3B cells. miR-485-5p targeted the 3′-UTR of SOX5 and negatively regulated the expression of SOX5. Knocking-down of SOX5 expression inhibited the viability, migration and invasion of Hep3B cells. Over-expression of SOX5 partially reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-485-5p over-expression on the viability, migration and invasion of Hep3B cells. CONCLUSION: miR-485-5p inhibits the viability, migration and invasion of Hep3B cells by targeting SOX5 gene. miR-485-5p is a potential molecular target for hepatocellular carcinoma.