Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of miR-766-5p on the proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of glioma cells. Methods The targeting relationship between miR-766-5p and matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) was predicted by Targetscan, and then was verified. U87 cell lines with miR-766-5p overexpression, MMP-7 overexpression or miR-766-5p + MMP-7 overexpression were constructed. BrdU staining, flow cytometry, and transwell assay were used to assay the cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion. The expression levels of related proteins were detected by Western blotting. Results MiR-766-5p could inhibit the expression of MMP-7. Overexpression of miR-766- 5p could inhibit the expression of Ki67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Wnt1 and β-catenin, and inhibit the proliferation and invasion of U87 cells. It could also promote the expression of Bcl-associated X protein (Bax) / B-cell lymphoma / leukemia-2 (Bcl-2), and promote cell apoptosis in U87 cells. Overexpression of MMP-7 could partially reverse the effect of miR-766-5p overexpression on U87 cells proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis. Conclusion MiR-766-5p can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of U87 cells, and promote the apoptosis of U87 cells by inhibiting the expression of MMP-7. 

Key words: glioma, miR-766-5p, matrix metalloproteinase-7, cell proliferation, invasion, apoptosis