Cinobufacin Suppresses Cell Proliferation via miR-494 in BGC-823 Gastric Cancer Cells

Cinobufacin is used clinically to treat patients with many solid malignant tumors. However, the mechanismsunderlying action remain to be detailed. Our study focused on miRNAs involved in cinobufacin inhibition of GCcell proliferation. miRNA microarray analysis and real time PCR identified miR-494 as a significant cinobufacinassociatedmiRNA. In vivo, ectopic expression of miR-494 inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis ofBGC-823 cells on CCK-8 and flow cytometry analysis. Further study verified BAG-1 (anti-apoptosis gene) to beatarget of miR-494 by luciferase reporter assay and Western blotting. In summary, our study demonstrated thatcinobufacin may inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of BGC-823 cells. Cinobufacin-associatedmiR-494 may indirectly be involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis by targeting BAG-1, pointing to use as apotential molecular target of cinobufacin in gastric cancer therapy.