Abstract: Objective To analyze the relationship between miR-3682-3p and PI3K/ AKT signaling pathway in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, in order to provide new ideas for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods The expression levels of miR-3682-3p and PI3K/ AKT in MIHA human normal hepatocytes and SMMC-7721 human hepatoma cells were detected by qRT-PCR. SMMC-7721 human hepatoma cells were divided into miR-3682-3p mimic group, miR-3682-3p mimic NC group, miR-3682-3p inhibitor group and miR-3682-3p inhibitor NC group by transfection of different plasmids. The interaction between miR-3682-3p and PI3K was analyzed by dual-luciferase gene reporter assay. Western blotting, qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, wound healing assay and transwell assay were used to analyze the proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of cells in different groups. Results miR-3682-3p could targetly regulate and activate the PI3K/ AKT signaling pathway, and enhance the proliferation, migration and invasion of hepatoma cells, reduce the apoptosis. When the expression of miR-3682-3p was inhibited, the PI3K/ AKT pathway was suppressed, the proliferation, migration and invasion of hepatoma cells were decresed, and the apoptosis was increased. Conclusion PI3K is a target of miR-3682-3p, and miR-3682-3p promotes the in vitro metastatic activity of SMMC-7721 human hepatoma cells by activating the PI3K/ AKT pathway.

Key words: miR-3682-3p, PI3K/ AKT, SMMC-7721, liver cancer