miR-335-3p acts as a tumor suppressor in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and predicts favorable prognosis.

BACKGROUND

Esophageal cancer is a highly invasive malignancy that severely impairs normal digestive function and poses a substantial threat to patient survival. The pathogenesis of miRNA-mediated tumors has been widely documented.

AIM: Verifying the involvement of miR-335-3p in the pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

METHODS

The study enrolled 90 ESCC patients, from whom clinical data and pathological tissue samples were acquired. The prognostic potential of dysregulated miR-335-3p in ESCC was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. miR-335-3p and GFPT1 expression in the specimens were measured by RT-qPCR. Cellular biological functions were verified through transfection, CCK-8, Transwell, and kit-based assays. The targeting relationship was ascertained by luciferase activity assays.

RESULTS

miR-335-3p was downregulated in ESCC, which is indicative of poorer prognostic outcomes. GFPT1 was up-regulated and was regarded as a target of miR-335-3p. Increased miR-335-3p levels markedly impaired cellular biological functions. Conversely, simultaneous overexpression of GFPT1 alleviated the negative effects induced by miR-335-3p mimic, which was associated with the partial restoration of cell activity and antioxidant capacity.

CONCLUSION

miR-335-3p represents a potential independent prognostic marker in ESCC. The anti-tumor activity induced by miR-335-3p overexpression may be associated with its regulation of GFPT1.