Retracted : MicroRNA‐497 accelerates apoptosis while inhibiting proliferation, migration, and invasion through negative regulation of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway via RAF‐1

MircoRNA-322-5p promotes lipopolysaccharide-induced acute kidney injury mouse models and mouse primary proximal renal tubular epithelial cell injury by regulating T-box transcription factor 21/mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-related kinase axis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common devastating complication characterized by an abrupt loss of renal function. It is of great significance to explore promising biomarkers for AKI treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Here, we established LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-induced AKI mice models and LPS-induced AKI mouse renal tubular epithelial cell model. The severity of AKI was determined by the levels of BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and SCr (serum creatinine), the observation of pathological section as well as the renal tubular injury score. The apoptosis was determined by the measurement of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 activities, and cell apoptosis assays. qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time PCR) and western blot revealed that miR-322-5p (microRNA-322-5p) was up-regulated in LPS -induced AKI models while Tbx21 (T-box transcription factor 21) was down-regulated in LPS-induced AKI models. Dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pulldown assays detected the interaction of Tbx21 with miR-322-5p.

RESULTS

We found that miR-322-5p was overtly over-expressed in the in vitro LPS-induced AKI model and promoted the apoptosis of AKI mouse renal tubular epithelial cells via inhibiting Tbx21, which suppressed the mitochondrial fission and cell apoptosis through MAPK/ERK (mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-related kinase) pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that miR-322-5p promotes LPS-induced mouse AKI by regulating Tbx21/MAPK/ERK axis, which might provide new sights for AKI research.

Circulating and Endometrial Tissue microRNA Markers Associated with Endometrial Cancer Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Response to Treatment

In developed countries, endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common neoplasms of the female reproductive system. MicroRNAs (miRs) are a class of single-stranded noncoding RNA molecules with lengths of 19-25 nucleotides that bind to target messenger RNA (mRNA) to regulate post-transcriptional gene expression. Although there is a large amount of research focused on identifying miRs with a diagnostic, prognostic, or response to treatment capacity in EC, these studies differ in terms of experimental methodology, types of samples used, selection criteria, and results obtained. Hence, there is a large amount of heterogeneous information that makes it difficult to identify potential miR biomarkers. We aimed to summarize the current knowledge on miRs that have been shown to be the most suitable potential markers for EC. We searched PubMed and Google Scholar without date restrictions or filters. We described 138 miRs with potential diagnostic, prognostic, or treatment response potential in EC. Seven diagnostic panels showed higher sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of EC than individual miRs. We further identified miRs up- or downregulated depending on the FIGO stage, precursor lesions, and staging after surgery, which provides insight into which miRs are expressed chronologically depending on the disease stage and/or that are modulated depending on the tumor grade based on histopathological evaluation.

MicroRNA-92a-3p Enhances Cisplatin Resistance by Regulating Krüppel-Like Factor 4-Mediated Cell Apoptosis and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cervical Cancer

Recent studies have confirmed the existence and key roles of microRNA (miRNAs) in cancer drug resistance, including cervical cancer (CC). The present study aims to establish a novel role for miR-92a-3p and its associated gene networks in cisplatin (DDP) resistance of CC. First, the disparities in miRNA expression between CC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were screened based on GSE19611 microarray data that retrieved from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and we identified several miRs that were significantly downregulated or upregulated in CC tissues including miR-92a-3p. Moreover, miR-92a-3p was significantly up-regulated in DDP-resistant cells and was the most differently expressed miRNA. Functionally, knockdown of miR-92a-3p increased the sensitivity of DDP-resistant cells to DDP via inhibiting cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoting apoptosis. Conversely, overexpression of miR-92a-3p significantly induced DDP resistance in CC parental cells including HeLa and SiHa cells. Moreover, Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) was identified as a direct target of miR-92a-3p, and an obvious inverse correlation was observed between the expression of miR-92a-3p and KLF4 in 40 pairs of cancer tissues. Furthermore, KLF4 knockdown reversed the promoting effect of miR-92a-3p inhibition on DDP sensitivity in DDP-resistant CC cells. Besides, high expression of miR-92a-3p was associated with DDP resistance, as well as a short overall survival in clinic. Taken together, these findings provide important evidence that miR-92a-3p targets KLF4 and is significant in DDP resistance in CC, indicating that miR-92a-3p may be an attractive target to increase DDP sensitivity in clinical CC treatment.

The circadian clock gene PER2 enhances chemotherapeutic efficacy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma when combined with a targeted nanosystem

Treatment failure occurs in more than 40% of advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients including local recurrence and distant metastasis due to chemoradioresistance. Circadian clock genes were identified as regulating cancer progression and chemoradiosensitivity in a time-dependent manner. A novel nanosystem can ensure the accumulation and controllable release of chemotherapeutic agents at the tumour site at a set time. In this study, we investigated the expression of circadian clock genes and identified that period circadian regulator 2 (PER2) as a tumour suppressor plays a key role in NPC progression. A label-free proteomic approach showed that PER2 overexpression can inhibit the ERK/MAPK pathway. The chemotherapeutic effect of PER2 overexpression was assessed in NPC together with the nanosystem comprising folic acid (FA), upconverting nanoparticles covalently coupled with Rose Bengal (UCNPs-RB), 10-hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) and lipid-perfluorohexane (PFH) (FURH-PFH-NPs). PER2 overexpression combined with the targeted and controlled release of nanoagents elevated chemotherapeutic efficacy in NPC, which has potential application value for the chronotherapy of tumours.

miR-497-5p Decreased Expression Associated with High-Risk Endometrial Cancer

The current guidelines for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of endometrial cancer (EC), based on clinicopathological factors, are insufficient for numerous reasons; therefore, we investigated the relevance of miRNA expression profiles for the discrimination of different EC subtypes. Among the miRNAs previously predicted to allow distinguishing of endometrioid ECs (EECs) according to different grades (G) and from serous subtypes (SECs), we verified the utility of miR-497-5p. In ECs, we observed downregulated miR-497-5p levels that were significantly decreased in SECs, clear cell carcinomas (CCCs), and carcinosarcomas (CaSas) compared to EECs, thereby distinguishing EEC from SEC and rare EC subtypes. Significantly reduced miR-497-5p expression was found in high-grade ECs (EEC G3, SEC, CaSa, and CCC) compared to low-grade carcinomas (EEC G1 and mucinous carcinoma) and ECs classified as being in advanced FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stages, that is, with loco-regional and distant spread compared to cancers located only in the uterus. Based on immunohistochemical features, lower miR-497-5p levels were observed in hormone-receptor-negative, p53-positive, and highly Ki-67-expressing ECs. Using a machine learning method, we showed that consideration of miR-497-5p expression, in addition to the traditional clinical and histopathologic parameters, slightly improves the prediction accuracy of EC diagnosis. Our results demonstrate that changes in miR-497-5p expression influence endometrial tumorigenesis and its evaluation may contribute to more precise diagnoses.

MicroRNAs as regulators of ERK/MAPK pathway: A comprehensive review

The ERK/MAPK cascade is one the four distinctive MAPK cascades which transmit extracellular signals to intracellular targets. This cascade has an important role in the regulation of several fundamental processes such as proliferation, differentiation and cell response to diverse extrinsic stresses. Moreover, several studies have shown participation of this cascade in the pathogenesis of cancer. Recent investigations have unraveled interaction between microRNAs (miRNAs) and ERK/MAPK cascade. These transcripts reside in both upstream and downstream of this cascade, regulating or being regulated by ERK/MAPK proteins. In the current review, we summarize the role of miRNAs in the regulation of ERK/MAPK and their contribution in the pathogenesis of human disorders with particular focus on cancers.

Identification of Prognostic miRNA Signature and Lymph Node Metastasis-Related Key Genes in Cervical Cancer

Background

miRNAs and genes can serve as biomarkers for the prognosis and therapy of cervical tumors whose metastasis into lymph nodes is closely associated with disease progression and poor prognosis.

Methods

R software and Bioconductor packages were employed to identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. GEO2R detected differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the GSE7410 dataset originating from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). A Cox proportional hazard regression model was established to select prognostic miRNA biomarkers. Online tools such as TargetScan and miRDB predicted target genes, and overlapping DEGs and target genes were defined as consensus genes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment and Gene Ontology (GO) function annotations were performed to discern the potential functions of consensus genes. STRING and Cytoscape screened key genes and constructed a regulatory network.

Results

A combination of four miRNAs (down-regulated miR-502 and miR-145, up-regulated miR-142 and miR-33b) was identified as an independent prognostic signature of cervical cancer. A total of 94 consensus genes were significantly enriched in 7 KEGG pathways and 19 GO function annotations including the cAMP signaling pathway, the plasma membrane, integral components of the plasma membrane, cell adhesion, etc. The module analysis suggested that CXCL12, IGF1, PTPRC CDH5, RAD51B, REV3L, and WDHD1 are key genes that significantly correlate with cervical cancer lymph node metastasis.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that a four-miRNA signature can be a prognostic biomarker, and seven key genes are significantly associated with lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer patients. These miRNAs and key genes have the potential to be therapeutic targets for cervical cancer. Among them, two miRNAs (miR-502 and miR-33b) and two key genes (PTPRC and CDH5) were first reported to be potential novel biomarkers for cervical cancer. The current study further characterizes the progression of lymph node metastasis and mechanism of cervical tumors; therefore, it provides a novel diagnostic indicator and therapeutic targets for future clinical treatments.

Human Papillomavirus Infections, Cervical Cancer and MicroRNAs: An Overview and Implications for Public Health

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is among the most common sexually transmitted infections in both females and males across the world that generally do not cause symptoms and are characterized by high rates of clearance. Persistent infections due at least to twelve well-recognized High-Risk (HR) or oncogenic genotypes, although less frequent, can occur, leading to diseases and malignancies, principally cervical cancer. Three vaccination strategies are currently available for preventing certain HR HPVs-associated diseases, infections due to HPV6 and HPV11 low-risk types, as well as for providing cross-protection against non-vaccine genotypes. Nevertheless, the limited vaccine coverage hampers reducing the burden of HPV-related diseases globally. For HR HPV types, especially HPV16 and HPV18, the E6 and E7 oncoproteins are needed for cancer development. As for other tumors, even in cervical cancer, non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in posttranscriptional regulation, resulting in aberrant expression profiles. In this study, we provide a summary of the epidemiological background for HPV occurrence and available immunization programs. In addition, we present an overview of the most relevant evidence of miRNAs deregulation in cervical cancer, underlining that targeting these biomolecules could lead to wide translational perspectives, allowing better diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutics, and with valuable applications in the field of prevention. The literature on this topic is rapidly growing, but advanced investigations are required to achieve more consistent findings on the up-regulated and down-regulated miRNAs in cervical carcinogenesis. Because the expression of miRNAs is heterogeneously reported, it may be valuable to assess factors and risks related to individual susceptibility.

MicroRNA‑4712‑5p promotes proliferation of the vulvar squamous cell carcinoma cell line A431 by targeting PTEN through the AKT/cyclin D1 signaling pathways

The aim of the present study was to screen differentially expressed miRNAs in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC), observe the role of microRNA-4712-5p in VSCC and investigate its targets and regulatory mechanism. Differentially expressed miRNAs in human VSCC tissues were screened. microRNA-4712-5p was selected and its expression level was verified in clinical tissue samples and the VSCC cell line A431 by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis. The overexpression vector of microRNA-4712-5p was prepared and transfected into A431 cells; subsequently, cell invasion and metastasis were examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 and Transwell migration assays. Furthermore, the target gene of miRNA-4712-5p was predicted by bioinformatics and verified by The Dual-Luciferase^® Reporter (DLR™) Assay System. The expression of phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) and its downstream proteins, such as protein kinase B (PKB; AKT), glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3β and cyclin D1, were detected by western blot assays. The expression level of microRNA-4712-5p in VSCC tissues and the A431 cell line was found to be significantly increased, promoting proliferation and invasion of VSCC. The DLR™ assay indicated that PTEN was a target of miR-4712-5p. RT-qPCR revealed that PTEN expression was markedly lower in VSCC tissues compared with that in adjacent tissues. After A431 cells were transfected with the miRNA-4712-5p overexpression vector, phospho-AKT (p-AKT) and cyclin D1 expression were notably increased, but miRNA-4712-5p-targeted PTEN and phospho-GSK3β (p-GSK3β) protein markedly decreased. Therefore, microRNA-4712-5p can reduce the expression of PTEN, further affecting its downstream p-AKT, p-GSK3β and cyclin D1 signaling pathways, promoting the proliferation and invasion of VSCC.

Identification and performance evaluation of housekeeping genes for microRNA expression normalization by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR using liquid-based cervical cytology samples

Screening for cervical cancer by cytology has been effective in reducing the worldwide incidence and mortality rates of this disease. However, a number of studies have demonstrated that the sensitivity of conventional cervical cytology may be too low for detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (CIN). Therefore, it is important to incorporate more sensitive molecular diagnostic tests that could substantially improve the detection rates and accuracy for identifying CIN lesions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs with the potential to provide robust non-invasive cancer biomarkers for detecting CIN lesions in liquid-based cervical cytology (LBC) samples. At present, there is no consensus on which are the best housekeeping genes for miRNA normalization in LBC. The present study aimed to identify housekeeping genes with consistent and reproducible performance for normalization of reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) expression analysis of miRNA using LBC samples. The present study firstly selected six potential candidate housekeeping genes based on a systematic literature evaluation. Subsequently, the expression levels of microRNAs U6, RNU-44, RNU-47, RNU-48, RNU-49 and hsa-miR-16 were measured in 40 LBC samples using RT-qPCR. The stability of each potential housekeeping gene was assessed using the NormFinder algorithm. The results revealed that U6 and RNU-49 were the most stable genes among all candidates requiring fewer amplification cycles and smaller variation across the sample set. However, RNU-44, RNU-47, RNU-48 and hsa-miR-16 stability exceeded the recommended housekeeping value suitable for normalization. The findings revealed that U6 may be a reliable housekeeping gene for normalization of miRNA RT-qPCR expression analysis using LBC samples.

Anti-Cancer Effects of Pristimerin and the Mechanisms: A Critical Review

As a quinonemethide triterpenoid extracted from species of the Celastraceae and Hippocrateaceae, pristimerin has been shown potent anti-cancer effects. Specifically, it was found that pristimerin can affect many tumor-related processes, such as apoptosis, autophagy, migration and invasion, vasculogenesis, and drug resistance. Various molecular targets or signaling pathways are also involved, such as cyclins, reactive oxygen species (ROS), microRNA, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and PI3K/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. In this review, we will focus on the research about pristimerin-induced anti-cancer activities to achieve a deeper understanding of the targets and mechanisms, which offer evidences suggesting that pristimerin can be a potent anti-cancer drug.

MiR-15b is a key regulator of proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes from patients with condylar hyperplasia by targeting IGF1, IGF1R and BCL2

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore potential microRNAs (miRNAs), which participate in the pathological process of condylar hyperplasia (CH) through targeting specific proliferation- and apoptosis- related genes of chondrocytes.

METHODS

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) and B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (BCL2) in CH cartilage were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. MiRanda and TargetScanS algorithms were used to predict certain miRNAs in CH chondrocytes concurrently modulating the above three genes. MiR-15b was screened and identified using real-time PCR. After transfection of miR-15b mimics or inhibitor into CH chondrocytes, expression of the above three genes was detected by real-time PCR and western blot, meanwhile, cell proliferation and apoptosis was examined by CCK8, cell cycle assays, flow cytometry and Hoechst staining. Dual luciferase activity was performed to identify the direct regulation of miR-15b on IGF1, IGF1R and BCL2.

RESULTS

Expression of IGF1, IGF1R and BCL2 increased in CH cartilage. Seven microRNAs concurrently correlated with IGF1, IGF1R and BCL2. Among them, only miR-15b significantly changed in CH chondrocytes. Overexpression of miR-15b in CH chondrocytes suppressed the expression of IGF1, IGF1R and BCL2, while it increased when miR-15b was knockdown. Furthermore, miR-15b suppressed their expression by directly binding to its 3'-UTR in these cells. Besides, miR-15b hampered chondrocytes proliferation through targeting IGF1 and IGF1R and accelerated chondrocytes apoptosis through targeting BCL2.

CONCLUSION

Suppressed miR-15b contributed to enhanced proliferation capacity and weakened apoptosis of chondrocytes through augmentation of IGF1, IGF1R and BCL2, thereby resulting in development of CH.

MicroRNA-497-5p inhibits proliferation and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer by regulating FGF2

Increasing number of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to play an important role in the development and progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In particular, microRNA-497-5p (miR-497-5p) has been proposed as a tumor suppressor miRNA in human cancers. However, the role of miR-497-5p and its potential molecular mechanism associated with NSCLC are less studied. Therefore, the role of miR-497-5p in the pathogenesis of NSCLC was investigated. In the present study, the expression of miR-497-5p was significantly downregulated in NSCLC. Moreover, overexpression of miR-497-5p inhibited the proliferation and invasion of NSCLC cells by suppressing FGF2. In addition, FGF2 was a downstream target of miR-497-5p in NSCLC. FGF2 was upregulated in NSCLC promoting cell proliferation and invasion. Overexpression of FGF2 impaired the inhibitory effect of miR-497-5p in NSCLC. Taken together, these results demonstrate that miR-497-5p is a tumor suppressor miRNA and demonstrate its potential for future use in the treatment of human NSCLC.

Identification of differentially expressed miRNAs in early-stage cervical cancer with lymph node metastasis across The Cancer Genome Atlas datasets

Background and aim

Previous studies have suggested that lymph node metastasis (LNM) in early-stage cervical cancer (CESC) may affect the prognosis of patients and the outcomes of subsequent adjuvant therapy. However, research focused on miRNA expression in early-stage CESC patients with LNM remains limited. Therefore, it is necessary to identify prognostic miRNAs and determine their molecular mechanisms.

Methods

We evaluated the differentially expressed genes in early-stage CESC patients with LNM compared to patients without LNM and evaluated the prognostic significance of these differentially expressed genes by analyzing a public dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Potential molecular mechanisms were investigated by gene ontology, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and protein–protein interaction network analyses.

Results

According to the The Cancer Genome Atlas data, hsa-miR-508, hsa-miR-509-2, and hsa-miR-526b expression levels were significantly lower in early-stage CESC patients with LNM than in patients without LNM. A multivariate analysis suggested that three miRNAs were prognostic factors for CESC (P<0.05). The target genes were identified to be involved in the MAPK, cAMP, PI3K/Akt, mTOR, and estrogen cancer signaling pathways. Protein–protein interaction network analysis showed that TP53, MMP1, NOTCH1, SMAD4, and NFKB1 were the most significant hub proteins.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that hsa-miR-508, hsa-miR-509-2, and hsa-miR-526b may be potential diagnostic biomarkers for early-stage CESC with LNM, and serve as prognostic predictors for patients with CESC.

miR-497 may enhance the sensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer cells to gefitinib through targeting the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor

Background

Recently, studies have demonstrated that microRNA-497 (miR-497) plays an important role in modulating tumor cell sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs; however, its role in cellular resistance to the effects of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is not fully understood. In this study, we explored the potential of miR-497 in targeting the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling pathways to overcome gefitinib resistance.

Methods

A gefitinib resistant human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line (A549/GR) was established by the method of gefitinib mutagenesis culture. Next, the A549/GR cells were transfected with miR-497 mimics to establish an miR-497 overexpression model, designated A549/GR-miR497-mimic. MTT assay was used to assess cell resistance to gefitinib, and western blot assay was employed to evaluate alterations of IGF-1R and the AKT1 signaling pathway.

Results

We found that A549/GR-miR497-mimic cells (IC50 =33.76±0.97 µmol/L) were more sensitive to gefitinib than the control group (P<0.01). In addition, the expression levels of IGF-1R and phosphorylated AKT1 (p-AKT1) in A549/GR-miR497-mimic cells were reduced.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that miR-497 may have the effect of reversing gefitinib resistance and increasing the sensitivity of NSCLC cells to EGFR-TKIs by inhibiting the expression of IGF-1R and reducing activation of the downstream AKT signaling pathway. Thus, miR-497 plays a vital role in the acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs, and it may represent a potential therapeutic strategy to treat NSCLC exhibiting resistance to EGFR-TKIs.

[Aloin induces apoptosis via regulating the activation of MAPKs signaling pathway in human gastric cancer cells in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of aloin on apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells and explore the molecular mechanism.

METHODS

Gastric cancer MKN-28 and HGC-27 cells were cultured routinely in 1640 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 10% non-essential amino acids (for HGC-27 cells) and treated with different concentrations of aloin for different durations. The cell viability, cell nuclear morphology, and apoptotic rate of the cells were detected using CCK-8 assay, DAPI staining and AnnexinV-FITC/PI, respectively; Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of PARP, procaspase 3 and the phosphorylation of p38, ERK and JNK. The cells were treated with specific inhibitors of p38, ERK and JNK, and the inhibitory effects on these pathways were detected with Western blotting; DAPI staining was used to detect the effects of inhibitors on apoptosis of gastric cancer cells.

RESULTS

Aloin dose-dependently inhibited the viability and induced apoptosis of HGC-27 and MKN-28 cells. Alion treatment obvious enhanced the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK but decreased ERK phosphorylation in the cells. Blocking ERK activation with the ERK inhibitor obviously enhanced aloin-induced cell apoptosis, where inhibiting p38 and JNK activation partly reversed alion-induced apoptosis in the cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Aloin induces apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells in vitro by activating p38 and JNK signaling pathways and inhibiting ERK signaling pathway.

miR-654-5p Targets GRAP to Promote Proliferation, Metastasis, and Chemoresistance of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Through Ras/MAPK Signaling

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is characterized by rapid local migration and invasion. This study was aimed at clarifying the effect of miR-654-5p on progression of OSCC. miR-654-5p promoted proliferation, metastasis, and chemoresistance of OSCC in vitro and in vivo. Consistently, miR-654-5p was upregulated in late-stage OSCC and was correlated with poor prognosis of OSCC patients. Furthermore, miR-654-5p was mechanistically verified to target Grb-2-related adaptor protein (GRAP), accompanied by the activation of Ras/MAPK signaling and the facilitation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in OSCC cells. GRAP was downregulated in T1-2 stage versus T3-4 stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) and was negatively correlated with tumor-node-metastases (TNM) stage in HNSC patients based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) analysis. In addition, GRAP was positively correlated with good prognosis in HNSC patients. Our findings suggest that the miR-654-5p/GRAP/Ras/Erk signaling pathway in OSCC cells might contribute to the underlying mechanism through which miR-654-5p participates in the regulation of OSCC progression. miR-654-5p, as a potential biomarker for the clinical diagnosis and prognosis of OSCC, may be an effective anticancer target for the treatment of OSCC.