The role of miR-557 in modulating cervical cancer malignancy by targeting TAOK1

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer (CC) remains a major threat to women's health globally. Although miR-557 is a tumor suppressor in multiple cancers, its role in CC remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether miR-557 regulates CC progression by targeting TAOK1. METHODS: This study collected 113 pairs of cervical cancer tissues and adjacent tissues. The expression of miR-557 was detected by qRT-PCR, and its relationship with clinicopathological features and prognosis was analyzed. In HeLa and SiHa cell lines, we performed functional assays (CCK-8, Transwell) and measured ferroptosis-related indicators (Fe²⁺, GSH, GSH-Px) after transfecting miR-557 mimic or TAOK1 overexpression vectors. The miR-557/TAOK1 targeting relationship was validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay and rescue experiments. RESULTS: miR-557 was significantly downregulated in CC tissues and cell lines. Low miR-557 expression correlated with advanced FIGO stage, LNM, and poor prognosis. Functionally, miR-557 overexpression inhibited CC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, accompanied by increased Fe²⁺ levels and decreased GSH and GSH-Px activity. TAOK1 was identified as a direct target of miR-557, and its overexpression reversed the tumor-suppressive effects and ferroptosis-related changes induced by miR-557. CONCLUSIONS: miR-557 is significantly downregulated in CC and exerts tumor-suppressive functions. By targeting TAOK1, it inhibits the malignant progression of CC cells and may act as a promising biomarker for CC.