MMP3 and malignant colon neoplasm: Furthermore, AC also down-regulates the EMT-related gene such as vimentin and MMP3 (Figure 4A) with the upregulation of miRNA expression of miR142-3p across all the three colon cancer cells (Figure 4C), implicating the key regulatory function of miR142-3p in colon cancer stemness and metastasis.