miR-29a-3p promotes migration and invasion in ameloblastoma via Wnt/β-catenin signaling by targeting catenin beta interacting protein 1

background: Ameloblastoma (AB) is a common epithelial odontogenic tumor. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been found to be related to AB invasion. methods: The alteration expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) was performed by miRNA and mRNA microarray analysis and validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The effects of miR-29a-3p on migration and invasion in AB cells were evaluated by a transwell assay. Bioinformatic prediction was conducted using the miRSystem and validated by quantitative RT-PCR, western blot, and a luciferase reporter assay. results: miR-29a-3p was overexpressed in AB tissues, which promoted the migration and invasion of AB cells in vitro. Catenin beta interacting protein 1 (CTNNBIP1), a negative regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, was predicted to be a target of miR-29a-3p. miR-29a-3p inhibited the expression of CTNNBIP1 and promoted the expression of the downstream molecules of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. conclusions: miR-29a-3p promoted migration and invasion in AB via Wnt/β-catenin signaling by targeting CTNNBIP1.