MiR-524 inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis in thyroid cancer via targeting SPAG9.

Objective: To investigate the effect of miR-524 on the proliferation of thyroid cancer and its underlying mechanism.
Patients and Methods: MiR-524 expression levels in thyroid cancer samples and para-cancer tissues were tested by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cells proliferative ability and apoptosis were evaluated through methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and apoptosis assays, respectively. Luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the regulatory mechanism.
Results: MiR-524 expression was reduced in thyroid cancer specimen (p<0.05). Up-regulated miR-524 expression inhibited the proliferative ability and enhanced cell apoptosis of thyroid cancer cells. SPAG9 was a target gene of miR-524, and was reversely regulated by miR-524.
Conclusions: MiR-524 represses thyroid cancer cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis via targeting SPAG9.