The role of some MicroRNAs in the apoptotic process

Worldwide, cancer is the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular diseases. Since many of the methods actively used in cancer treatment today damage healthy cells as well as cancerous cells, new research is aimed at discovering new biomarkers that can be used as target molecules in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In this thesis, migration, proliferation and apoptotic effects of hsa miR-455-3p on SKOV-3 cells in the presence and absence of β-catenin inhibitor (cardamonin) were examined by looking at the effect of hsa-miR-455-3p on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Cell proliferation and migration rates were investigated by real-time cell analysis system after different doses of hsa-miR-455-3p transfection of SKOV-3 cells incubated with cardamonin. Obtained results; showed that there was a significant decrease in migration and proliferation rates in the cell group treated with miRNA transfection and cardamonin compared to other cell groups. Acridine orange/Ethidium bromide staining results showed a significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells in the hsa-miR-455-3p transfected cell group and the inhibitor applied cell group. As a result, it was determined that the migration and cell proliferation of SKOV-3 ovarian cells were inhibited after the stimulation of hsa-miR-455-3p expression and inhibition of β-catenin, and this combined application had a stimulating effect on cell apoptosis. It appears that hsa-miR-455-3p has an anti-cancer effect on SKOV-3 cells by suppressing β-catenin activation. These results, together with the exact determination of the mechanism of action of hsa-miR-455-3p on signaling pathways, may provide benefits in terms of drug development in ovarian cancer with a high mortality rate.