As shown in Fig. 5c-e and Additional file 13: Figure S5A-C, upregulating miR-133a-3p increased, while silencing miR-133a-3p reduced the activity of caspase-3 or − 9 in PCa cells; conversely, upregulating miR-133a-3p decreased, while silencing miR-133a-3p enhanced the mRNA and proteins expression levels of these anti-apoptotic. The gene discussed is CASP3; the disease is posterior cortical atrophy.