It has been reported that miR-376a is involved in the formation and progression 
of several types of cancer. However, the expression and function of miR-376a is 
still unknown in non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC). In this study, the 
expression of miR-376a in NSCLC tissues and cell lines were examined by 
real-time PCR, the effects of miR-376a on cell proliferation, apoptosis and 
invasion were evaluated in vitro. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to 
identify the targets of miR-376a. The results showed that miR-376a was 
significantly downregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Restoration of 
miR-376a in NSCLC cell line A549 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, 
increased cell apoptosis and suppressed cell invasion, compared with 
control-transfected A549 cells. Luciferase reporter assay showed that c-Myc, an 
oncogene that regulating cell survival, angiogenesis and metastasis, was a 
direct target of miR-376a. Over-expression of miR-376a decreased the mRNA and 
protein levels of c-Myc in A549 cells. In addition, upregulation of c-Myc 
inhibited miR-376a-induced inhibition of cell proliferation and invasion in A549 
cells. Therefore, our results indicate a tumor suppressor role of miR-376a in 
NSCLC by targeting c-Myc. miR-376a may be a promising therapeutic target for 
NSCLC.