Ectopic expression of miR-149 increased the sensitivity of ovarian cells to cisplatin, inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis. (A) HO8910 and SKOV-3 were transfected with miR-149 mimics, and the transfection efficiency was confirmed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. (B) Sensitivity of HO8910 and SKOV-3 cells transfected with miR-149 mimics to cisplatin treatment was determined by MTT assay. (C) Colony formation assays were performed to measure the effect of miR-149 on HO8910 and SKOV-3 cell proliferation. (D) Flow cytometry analysis was used to analyze the effect of miR-149 on the HO8910 and SKOV-3 cell apoptosis rate. Error bars represent the mean ± standard deviation of at least three independent experiments. **P<0.01 vs. NC group. XIAP, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis; miR, microRNA; NC, negative control.