Abstract

Background: The miR-106a-363 cluster, encoding six miRNAs (miR- 106a, miR-18b, miR-20b, miR-19b-2, miR-92-2 and miR-363), has been shown to be overexpressed in various tumours. In oral carcinoma cells, however only miR- 106a was detectable from this cluster. We have investigated how effects of transfection of oral carcinoma cells with a non-expressed member of this cluster affect mRNA transcriptomes and cellular selected functions.

Methods: Investigate effects of miR-20b and miR-363 mimics on cellular respiration, glycolysis and mobility. Effects on mRNA transcriptomes were monitored using microarrays.

Results: The studies show that in oral carcinoma cells transfected with miR-20b -, or miR-363-3p or miR-363-5p mimic different mRNAs were differentially expressed. Nevertheless, bioinformatics analysis suggested significant associations of differentially expressed genes to inhibition of cellular proliferation, cell cycle and cellular migration. These results were also experimentally confirmed.

Conclusions: Transfection of miRNA mimics for unexpressed members of the miR-106a-363 cluster (miR20b, miR-363-3p and miR-363-5p) exhibit an anti-proliferative effect on oral carcinoma cells, although likely mediated by different regulatory mechanisms.

Keywords: Cell cycle, cellular metabolism, migration, miR-106-363, miR-20b, miR-363-3p, miR-363-5p, proliferation.

Graphical Abstract