Study on the mechanism of miR-125b targeting HK2 expression to enhance radiosensitivity of breast cancer MCF-7 cells

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of miR-125b targeting HK2 expression on the radiosensitivity of breast cancer MCF-7 cells.

MethodsThe miR-125b mimics and its negative control were transfected into breast cancer MCF-7 cells, and divided into the miR-125b group and miR-NC group, respectively.The expression levels of miR-125b and HK2 mRNA in MCF-7 cells were detected using RT-PCR, and the expression of HK2 protein was detected by Western blotting.The targeting relationship between miR-125b and HK2 was detected using double luciferase reporter gene assay.The mimic of miR-125b and pcDNA3.1-HK2 plasmid were co-transfected into MCF-7 cells(miR-125b+HK2 group), and the survival fraction and apoptotic rate of cells in three groups were detected by clone formation assay and flow cytometry.

ResultsAfter transfecting miR-125b mimics, compared with the miR-NC group, the expression level of miR-125b in MCF-7 cells increased(P < 0.01), and the expression levels of HK2 mRNA and protein decreased(P < 0.01).The results of double luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that the HK2 was a potential target gene of miR-125b.Compared with the miR-NC group, the survival fraction and apoptotic rate of cells in miR-125b group decreased and increased, respectively(P < 0.01).Compared with the miR-125b group, the survival fraction and apoptotic rate in miR-125b + HK2 group significantly increased and decreased, respectively(P < 0.01).

ConclusionsMiR-125b can enhance the radiosensitivity of breast cancer MCF-7 cells by targeting HK2 expression.