LASP-1, regulated by miR-203, promotes tumor proliferation and aggressiveness in human non-small cell lung cancer

• LASP-1 was overexpressed in NSCLC tissues and cells.
• LASP-1 could be recognized as an independent prognostic factor of NSCLC patients.
• LASP-1 promoted tumor proliferation, migration and invasion in NSCLC.
• LASP-1 was identified as a novel target of miR-203 in NSCLC.

The LIM and SH3 protein 1 (LASP-1) has been reported to be associated with tumor development and progression. However, the expression and potential function of LASP-1 in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains undefined. Thus, this study aims to determine the relationship of LASP-1 expression with the progression and prognosis of NSCLC. Expression of LASP-1 was evaluated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines by real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The relationship between LASP-1 expression and clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed. The effects of LASP-1 on cell proliferation, migration and invasion were investigated in NSCLC cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Luciferase assay was used to determine whether LASP-1 could be regulated by miR-203. We found that LASP-1 was overexpressed in NSCLC and its expression level was closely correlated with tumor size, advanced TNM stage, lymph node metastasis as well as survival time and could be recognized as an independent prognostic factor of patients. LASP-1 could promote proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, LASP-1 was proved to be a direct target gene for miR-203. Our results suggest that LASP-1, mediated by miR-203, has crucial functions in the proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC.