Study of aldo-keto reductase AKR7A3 inhibits the proliferation gastric cancer cells via miR-199mediated suppression of MAPK activity

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignant tumor; as such, it will be critical to have a larger understanding of the mechanisms underlying GC development. In this study, we explore the mechanisms by which the enzyme, aldo-keto reductase family 7 member A3 (AKR7A3) inhibits the proliferation and migration of GC cells via its role in regulating the synthesis of microRNA (miR)-199. We found that miR-199 expression was comparatively lower in GC compared to that detected in normal para-cancerous tissue; proliferation and migration of GC cells was augmented in response to overexpression of miR-199. Furthermore, AKR7A3 regulated expression of miR-199 in cells of the SGC-7901 GC line; miR-199 in turn promoted the downregulated expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and G1 phase cell cycle arrest. Taken together, our results indicate that AKR7A3 acts to modulate proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of GC cells via the actions of miR-199. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the development of targeted therapy for GC.