MiR-23b-3p Targeting NCAPG Promotes Cell Proliferation and Anti-Apoptosis By Regulating PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway in Colorectal Cancer
Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the major malignancies with poor prognosis. NCAPG is reportedly upregulated in human malignant tumors. However, its clinicopathological and biological significance in CRC are still indistinct. In this investigation, NCAPG was upregulated in human CRC specimens and CRC cells. NCAPG overexpression was positively correlated with clinicopathological characteristics, such as differentiation and tumor size, and was independently associated with poor survival. Consistent with clinical observations, NCAPG significantly promoted tumorigenesis and inhibited apoptosis of CRC cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we found knockdown of NCAPG inhibited proliferation through regulating PI3K/AKT pathway. Furthermore, we showed that NCAPG was a potential target whose expression is negatively modulated by miR-23b-3p. Taken together, the miR-23b-3p/NCAPG/PI3K/AKT axis plays tumorigenic roles in colorectal carcinogenesis and acts as a therapeutic or diagnostic target.