To investigate the molecular mechanism and prognostic value of miR-551a in glioma based on bioinformatics.

Glioma represents the prevalent neoplasm type, distinguished by invasive growth and a significant rate of recurrence. This research investigates the prognostic significance and possible molecular mechanisms of miR-551a in gliomas, thereby offering a novel biomarker for gliomas treatment. This study selected 77 glioma patients and 52 craniocerebral injury patients from 2017 to 2023. The expression of miR-551a was assessed by qPCR. The ROC, Cox regression, and KM curve analyses were conducted to evaluate the diagnostic utility and prognostic value of miR-551a. The effects of inhibiting miR-551a on glioma cell functions were evaluated through CCK-8 and transwell assays. miR-551a target genes was conducted by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, as well as PPI analysis, to elucidate potential gene regulatory relationship. miR-551a exhibited a significant up-regulation in the cerebrospinal fluid of glioma patients (P < 0.001). miR-551a possessed a robust predictive capacity for gliomas (AUC = 0.792, P < 0.001) and serves as a risk factor for unfavorable prognoses (HR = 3.858, P < 0.01), with patients exhibiting low levels of miR-551a showing favorable prognosis (P = 0.004). The inhibition of miR-551a diminished the proliferative (P < 0.05), migratory (P < 0.01), and invasive (P < 0.001) capabilities of glioma cells. miR-551a functioned as an oncogene, with CALM3 identified as critical regulatory targets (P < 0.001). miR-551a is a biological indicator for glioma prediction. It participates in the disease progression of glioma by regulating the functions of glioma cells via CALM3.