MiR-429 is an independent prognostic factor in colorectal cancer and exerts its anti-apoptotic function by targeting SOX2

Emerging evidence has demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors to participate in cancer development. In this study, we found that miR-429 expression was up-regulated in human colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues, and the high miR-429 expression was significantly associated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis. Functionally, miR-429 overexpression suppressed cell apoptosis by directly targeting SOX2 in HT-29 cells. Taken together, our data suggest for the first time that miR-429 could play an oncogenic role in the cellular processes of CRC and represent a novel prognostic biomarker for CRC.

► We found that miR-429 expression was up-regulated in human colorectal cancer tissues. ► The high miR-429 expression was significantly associated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis. ► Functionally, miR-429 overexpression suppressed cell apoptosis by directly targeting SOX2 in HT-29 cells.