LAUSR

92Background: microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules which act as repressors of gene function, and have been identified as playing substantial roles in cancer as both tumor suppressors and oncogenes. miR-198 has been reported to be down-regulated in several cancers, with low expression associated with worse overall survival. In addition, miR-198 has demonstrated tumor suppressor effects by altering several hallmarks of cancer. Despite compelling evidence in other cancers, miR-198's role in prostate cancer aggression has not yet been evaluated. Methods: Experiments were conducted by overexpressing miR-198 in three prostate cancer cell lines: DU145, LNCaP and 22RV1. To examine miR-198's effect on hallmarks of cancer in vitro, we used standard protocols to assay proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle profile, migration, and invasive potential. Gene array, qPCR, western blotting, and siRNA knockdown experiments were used to establish miR-198 downstream targets. Results: Overexpression of t...