Quantitative Proteomics Reveal the Mechanism of MiR-138–5p Suppressing Cervical Cancer <i>via</i> Targeting ZNF385A

MicroRNAs are short, noncoding RNA molecules that exert pivotal roles in cancer development and progression by modulating various target genes. There is growing evidence that miR-138–5p is significantly involved in cervical cancer (CC). However, its precise molecular mechanism has yet to be fully understood. In the current investigation, a quantitative proteomics approach was utilized to detect possible miR-138–5p targets in HeLa cells systematically. In total, 364 proteins were downregulated, and 150 were upregulated after miR-138–5p overexpression. Bioinformatic analysis of these differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) revealed significant enrichment in several cancer-related pathways. Zinc finger protein 385A (ZNF385A) was determined as a novel direct target of miR-138–5p and discovered to facilitate the proliferation, migration, and cell cycle progression of HeLa cells. SFN and Fas cell surface death receptor(FAS) were then identified as functional downstream effectors of ZNF385A and miR-138–5p. Moreover, a tumor xenograft experiment was conducted to validate the association of miR-138–5p-ZNF385A-SFN/FAS axis with the development of CC <i>in vivo</i>. Our findings have collectively established a catalog of proteins mediated by miR-138–5p and have provided an in-depth comprehension of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the inhibitory effect of miR-138–5p on CC. The miR-138–5p-ZNF385A-SFN/FAS axis could also be beneficial to the identification of new therapeutic targets.