Figure 6.
miR-122 impacts the propensity of cancer cells to migrate and invade. (a) Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was performed on the genes up-regulated in HCC samples which exhibit a low miR-122 expression (Cluster B in Figure 3). This procedure revealed a network associated with cell motility and identified RAC1 and RHOA as two central regulators. (b) Inhibition of miR-122 results in the acquisition of migrating and invasive properties. The effect of miR-122 inhibition on cellular migration and invasion was assessed in Huh-1 by transfecting 20 nM of either anti-miR-122 (black column) or negative control (NC-Anti-miR, white column). Invasive and migrating activity was measured by using the BD BioCoat Matrigel Invasion Chambers. Data indicate that the loss of miR-122 increases the migrating and invasive properties of Huh-1 cells. (c) Conversely, in the miR-122 negative SK-Hep1 cell line the restoration of miR-122 by transfecting miR-122 precursor molecules results in a decreased migration and invasion (Pre-miR-122, black column) as compared to cells transfected with negative control (NC-Pre-miR, white column).