Background: Accumulative evidence indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in carcinogenesis and biological behaviors of glioma. Further bio-molecular mechanisms of miRNAs in glioma cells remain largely unknown, which can contribute to novel therapeutic strategy. 
Methods: In the present study, we detected the expression level of miR-384 by RT-PCR and Western blot. Meanwhile, Gain and loss function assay of miR-384 by transfection of miR-384 mimics and inhibitor. Moreover, wild and mutant psiCHECK-2-CDC42-3’-UTR luciferase reporter vectors were constructed and transfected into glioma cells with miR-384 mimics or miR-NC.
Results: miR-384 was dramatically down-regulated in human glioma tissues. It was also demonstrated that miR-384 significantly inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cells. Cell division cycle 42 (Cdc42) was a direct target of miR-384 according to results of RT-PCR and Western blotting.
Conclusion: Our research demonstrated that miR-384 exerted an inhibitory effect on proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma via suppressing the expression of CDC42 , meaning that miR-384 may be regarded as a potential target in the treatment of glioma.
Keywords: miR-384, CDC42, glioma, proliferation, invasion