miR-592 functions as a tumor suppressor in human non-small cell lung cancer by targeting SOX9
Authors: Bai Li
Liang Niu
Liang Ge
Zhihong Li
Journal: Oncology Reports (2017)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: microRNA-592; cancer; non-small cell lung cancer; NSCLC; tumor suppressor
Affiliations: Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China., Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China., Operating Room, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China., Department of Anesthesiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China.

Abstract:  A growing body of evidence suggests that microRNA-592 (miR-592) may be involved in the initiation and progression of cancer by targeting various molecules in several human cancers. However, the function and underlying molecular mechanism of miR-592 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. In the present study, we found that miR-592 was significantly downregulated in NSCLC cell lines and tissues by real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), and that lower miR-592 expression was negatively associated with advanced tumor/nodes/metastasis (TNM) classification stages (P&lt;0.01) and lymph node metastasis (P&lt;0.01). Function assay demonstrated that the miR-592 mimic reduced in vitro cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion in A549 cells (a NSCLC-derived cell line), and inhibited in vivo tumor cell growth in xenografted nude mice. Furthermore, the gender determining region Y (SRY)-related high mobility group box 9 (SOX9) was confirmed as a direct target of miR-592, using luciferase reporter, qRT-PCR and western blot assays. Enforced overexpression of SOX9 effectively reversed the tumor suppressive functions of miR-592 on NSCLC proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion. These findings suggested that miR-592 functions as tumor suppressor in NSCLC by suppressing the activity of SOX9, and that miR-592 might serve as a promising therapeutic target for NSCLC treatment. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 *[right]* Fig 7B.  Representative images of tumors treated with miR-592 mimic or miR-Ctrl. *[left]* Fig 2E from [Liu et al (2017)](hhttps: pubpeer.com publications 357B70F086B2174354353C594787FE).  miR-365 inhibits HCC growth in vitro and in vivo.... (E) Images of the tumor tissue .  Could the authors comment on the appearance of three tumors in both compositions? , 
 Fig 2C. Cell colony formation of A549 cells transfected with miR-592 mimic or miR-Ctrl was analyzed .  Fig 2C from [Cao et al (2017)] .  colony formation ... determined in 786-O cells after transfection with miR-148a mimic or miR-NC .  These seem to be the same plates, with some colonies added or removed. UPDATE: Another sighting of the left-hand plate, though flipped through 180 deg. Fig 5D of [Lin et al (2017)] .  Cell ... colony formation ... were determined in [cotransfected SKOV3] cells.  , 
 Retracted [25 Npvember 2021] . -------------------- Following the publication of the above paper, the authors submitted a request to the Editorial Office to publish a corrigendum in light of a concern regarding potential contamination of their cells during the course of performing the experiments; at the same time, it was drawn to the Editors attention by a concerned reader that certain of the colonyu2011formation assay data shown in Fig. 2C were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in another article by different authors. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article were already under consideration for publication prior to its submission to *Oncology Reports*, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. After having been in contact with the authors, they agreed with the decision to retract the paper. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. ,