Objective      To investigate the expression of microRNA-30a (miR-30a) in human gastric cancer (GC) tissues and identify its direct target gene.       Methods      The expression of miR-30a in the tumor tissues and paratumor tissues of 29 patients with GC was detected by qRT-PCR. The potential target genes of miR-30a were predicted with TargerScan database. Luciferase reporter plasmid pMIR-fibroblast activation protein α (FAPα) with FAPα 3′UTR as the binding site of miR-30a was constructed. The predicted target gene (FAPα) of miR-30a was identified by dual luciferase activation assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of FAPα were assessed by qRT-PCR and Western blotting

respectively.       Results      The expression of miR-30a was significantly decreased in the tumor tissues compared with the paratumor tissues. Low expression of miR-30a in the tumor tissues was significantly correlated with the clinical stage. MiR-30a mimic significantly inhibited luciferase activation (P0.05) in the HEK293 cells

which proved that miR-30a could target FAPα 3′UTR. Western blotting and qRT-PCR showed that miR-30a inhibited the mRNA and protein expression levels of FAPα.       Conclusion      MiR-30a is down-regulated in GC

and FAPα is its target gene.