MicroRNA-326 functions as a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer by targeting the nin one binding protein

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in multiple processes in cancer development and progression. miR-326 has been identified as a tumor suppressor miRNA in several types of human cancer. However, the specific function of miR-326 and its target the nin one binding protein (NOB1) in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) remains unclear. In the present study, we found that miR-326 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and induced cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of CRC cells by directly targeting NOB1. Furthermore, the upregulation of miR-326 in CRC cells was revealed to be associated with a feedback loop involving downregulation of the NOB1, which mimics the phenotype induced by miR-326. Importantly, we found that the CRC patients with high expression of miR-326 or low expression of NOB1 tend to obtain a better prognosis. Thus, for the first time, we provide convincing evidence that downregulation of miR-326 inhibited tumor proliferation and tumor metastasis by directly targeting NOB1 in CRC. NOB1 and miR-326 could be potential therapeutic targets for CRC.