1879-14764612019FebAuris Nasus LarynxMicroRNA-4497 functions as a tumor suppressor in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma via negatively modulation the GBX2.106113106-11310.1016/j.anl.2018.05.005S0385-8146(18)30168-8MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are aberrantly expressed in various tumors and play a critical role in the progression and development of tumors. However, there is little information about the role of miR-4497 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). The aim of this study is to investigate the role of miR-4497 in LSCC.MiR-4497 expression in tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues was measured by RT-PCR. The effects of miR-4497 on cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated by the MTT assay, Flow cytometry and caspase-3 activity assay. Western blot analysis was used to measure the expression of various proteins. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assay were applied to investigate the relationship between miR-4497 and GBX2.We found that miR-4497 expression was downregulated in LSCC tumor tissues and cell lines compared to the normal counterparts. Overexpression of miR-4497 inhibits the proliferation and induces apoptosis of LSCC cells accompanied by the down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Mechanisms investigation revealed that GBX2 is a direct target of miR-4497. miR-4497 expression was inversely correlated with GBX2 expression in LSCC tissues. Moreover, overexpression of miR-4497 leads to the activation of ERK, JNK but not p38. Inhibition of ERK by specific inhibitor SCH772984 could interfere the apoptosis induced by overexpression of miR-4497.Therefore, our results indicate that miR-4497 may play a suppressive role in LSCC by targeting GBX2, which offer new insights into the tumorigenesis of LSCC.Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.ChenXudongXDepartment of Otolaryngology, The First Hospital of Ningbo, Ningbo, People's Republic of China.ZhangLitaoLDepartment of Otolaryngology, The First Hospital of Ningbo, Ningbo, People's Republic of China.TangShixiongSDepartment of Otolaryngology, The First Hospital of Ningbo, Ningbo, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: wizardcxd@163.com.engJournal Article20180526