MicroRNA-29a suppresses the growth of human cervical cancer cells by targeting cell division cycle 42 (CDC42)

Several microRNAs (miRs) play regulatory roles in cervical cancer. The present study investigated the molecular role of microRNA-29a in cervical cancer via modulation of cell division cycle 42 (CDC42) expression. The results showed significant (P < 0.05) downregulation of miR-29a human in cervical cancer cells. Overexpression of miR-29a inhibited the proliferation and colony formation of the cervical cancer cells via G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. In silico analysis and luciferase reporter assay showed CDC42 to be the molecular target of miR-29a. CDC42 was found to significantly (P < 0.05) overexpressed in cervical cancer cells. Nonetheless, miR-29 overexpression inhibited the expression of CDC42 in DoTc2 cells. Silencing of CDC42 inhibited the proliferation of DoTc2 cells. However, overexpression of CDC42 could prevent the tumour-suppressive effects of miR-29a. Finally, miR-29a was found to suppress the tumour-growth in vivo further confirming the tumour-suppressive effects of miR-29. Collectively, the findings of the present study revealed the tumour-suppressive effects of miR-29 of cervical cancer