TY - EJOU AU - Liu, Chao AU - Jian, Min AU - Qi, Hong AU - Mao, Wei-Zheng TI - MicroRNA 495 Inhibits Proliferation and Metastasis and Promotes Apoptosis by Targeting Twist1 in Gastric Cancer Cells T2 - Oncology Research PY - 2019 VL - 27 IS - 3 SN - 1555-3906 AB - Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to participate in multiple biological processes. However, the effects of miR-495 on gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the functions of miR-495 in GC cell proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis. SGC-7901 and BGC-823 cell lines were transfected with miR-495 mimic, miR-495 inhibitor, and negative controls (mimic control and inhibitor control). The expressions of miR-495, cell viability, migration, apoptosis, and apoptosis-related factors were examined by qRT-PCR, trypan blue staining, Transwell, flow cytometry, and Western blot, respectively. Simultaneously, key factor expression levels of EMT were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The direct target of miR-495 was confirmed by dual-luciferase assay. Additionally, sh-Twist1, pc-Twist1, and corresponding controls were transfected into SGC-7901 and BGC-823 cells, and the protein levels of EMTassociated factors were detected by Western blot. miR-495 was downregulated in GC cells. miR-495 expression level was effectively overexpressed or suppressed in SGC-7901 and BGC-823 cells. Overexpression of miR-495 significantly decreased cell viability and migration, increased apoptosis, and inhibited the EMT process. Suppression of miR-495 showed contrary results. Twist1 was clarified as a target gene of miR-495, and Twist1 silencing obviously reduced the promoting effect of miR-495 suppression on these biological processes. Twist1 silencing significantly blocked the EMT process in both SGC-7901 and BGC-823 cells. miR-495 inhibited proliferation and metastasis and promoted apoptosis by targeting Twist1 in GC cells. These data indicated that miR-495 might be a novel antitumor factor of GC and provide a new method for the treatment of GC. KW - Gastric cancer (GC); MicroRNA-495; Proliferation; Apoptosis; Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT); Twist1 DO - 10.3727/096504018X15223159811838