Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of microRNA-377-3p ( miR-377-3p) on the proliferation and mitochondrial function of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) SKOV3 cells by targetingE-box binding zinc finger protein 2 (ZEB2). Methods SKOV3 cells were cultured in vitro, cellswith miR-377-3p and ZEB2 overexpression were constructed, and the proliferation, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, and oxidative stress in cells were detected. Results The expression level of ZEB2 was inhibited by miR-377-3p. Compared with those in the control group, the number of colony formation was decrease, the expression levels of Ki67, PCNA, Survivin, and the level of SOD were decreased in the miR-377-3p group, while the apoptosis rate, the proportion of JC-1 green fluorescence, the level of MDA, and the ratios of Bax / Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3 /caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 / caspase-9 were increased (P < 0. 05). In addition, the number ofcolony formation, the expression levels of Ki67, PCNA, Survivin, and the level of SOD were increased in the ZEB2 group, while the apoptosis rate, proportion of JC-1 green fluorescence, the level of MDA, and the ratios of Bax / Bcl-2, cleaved caspase3 / caspase3 and cleaved caspase9 /caspase9 were decreased ( P < 0. 05 ). The overexpression of ZEB2 in the miR-377-3p + ZEB2 groups could partially reverse the effect of miR-377-3p (P < 0. 05). Conclusion miR-377-3p caninhibit the ZEB2 expression, reduce the membrane potential, enhance the oxidative stress, inhibit the proliferation, and promote the apoptosis of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells.

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