Objective  To investigate the effect of miR-520c-3p on the migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells.

  Methods  One hundred and eighteen specimens from lung adenocarcinoma patients were selected from the tumor tissue bank of Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from February 2010 to January 2015. Expression of miR-520c-3p and Rab22a mRNA was measured via RT-qPCR. Subsequently, cell invasion and migration ability were detected using transwell assay. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify the target genes of miR-520c-3p. Luciferase, Western blot, and rescue experiments verified the regulatory relationship between miR-520c-3p and Rab22a.

  Results  The expression level of miR-520c-3p in lung adenocarcinoma tissues was lower than that in paracancerous tissues; higher miR-520c-3p expression predicted a better prognosis. miR-520c-3p could inhibit the migration and invasion abilities of lung adenocarcinoma cells. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase and rescue experiments demonstrated that miR-520c-3p targeted Rab22a and negatively regulated its expression.

  Conclusions  The expression level of miR-520c-3p in lung adenocarcinoma cells. Hence, was lower than that in paracancerous tissues, and miR-520c-3p could inhibit the migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells.