miR-96 suppresses renal cell carcinoma invasion via downregulation of Ezrin expression

Nengwang Yu, Shuai Fu, Yubao Liu, Zhonghua Xu, Yi Liu, Junwen Hao, Baocheng Wang, Aimin Zhang

The present study examined the role of microRNA (miR)-96 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) invasion. The expression of miR-96 was detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in human RCC cell lines with high (Caki-1) and low (786-O) metastatic potential. Invasive ability and Ezrin expression were assessed in Caki-1 and 786-O cells transfected with a miR-96 mimic or inhibitor using wound healing assays, Transwell assays and western blotting. Expression of miR-96 and Ezrin was also examined in primary RCC samples from 17 patients with metastatic disease and 46 patients who maintained remission during a follow-up period of 37 months. miR-96 expression was significantly lower in Caki-1compared to786-O cells. The invasive ability of Caki-1 and 786-O cells increased following transfection of cells with miR-96 inhibitor, whereas it decreased following transfection with miR-96 mimic. Ezrin levels were negatively correlated with miR-96 in RCC, and inhibition of Ezrin expression suppressed the miR-96-induced change in invasive ability. The negative correlation between miR-96 and metastasis/Ezrin expression was also observed in human RCC specimens. These results suggest that miR-96 suppresses RCC invasion by modulating Ezrin expression.