SKA3, negatively regulated by miR-128-3p, promotes the progression of non-small-cell lung cancer.

Aim: To investigate the effects of SKA3 on cell proliferation and metastasis in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its underlying mechanism. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was employed to analyze the expression of SKA3 in NSCLC. CCK-8 assay, EdU assay, Transwell assay and flow cytometry analysis were employed to assess cell proliferation, metastatic potential and apoptosis in vitro, respectively. A lung metastasis model was used to evaluate metastasis of NSCLC cells in vivo. A luciferase reporter gene assay was conducted to verify the targeting relationship. Results: SKA3 exhibited high expression in NSCLC tissues and cells. Overexpression of SKA3 remarkably accelerated cell proliferation and metastasis and suppressed apoptosis of NSCLC cells and promoted lung metastasis in a mouse model. miR-128-3p repressed SKA3 expression by targeting it. Conclusion: miR-128-3p inhibited the progression of NSCLC through targeting SKA3.