BACKGROUND: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal malignant gynecological cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer. The role of miR-494 in EOC has not been fully investigated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: MiR-494 levels in ovarian cancer tissues and cells were tested by qRT-PCR. Cells were transfected with miR-494 mimics or miR-494 ASO by Lipofectamine. Bioinformatics algorithms from TargetScanHuman were used to predict the target genes of miR-494. The c-Myc protein level was assayed by Western blot. The interaction between miR-494 and c-Myc was confirmed by dual luciferase assays.

RESULTS: MiR-494 showed low levels in EOC tissues and cells. Overexpression of miR-494 inhibited cell growth and migration of EOC cells and vice versa. c-Myc is the targeted gene of miR-494.

CONCLUSIONS: MiR-494 has an anti-tumor role in EOC via c-Myc.

Keywords: Base Sequence, Molecular Sequence Data, Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial - pathology, Ovarian Neoplasms - pathology, Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc - metabolism