title: MicroRNA-124 regulates the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells by targeting iASPP.
abstract: MicroRNAs are a class of small, noncoding RNAs that function as critical regulators of gene expression by targeting mRNAs for translational repression or degradation. In this study, we demonstrate that expression of microRNA-124 (miR-124) is significantly downregulated in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines, compared to the matched adjacent tissues. We identified and confirmed inhibitor of apoptosis-stimulating protein of p53 (iASPP) as a novel, direct target of miR-124 using target prediction algorithms and luciferase reporter gene assays. Overexpression of miR-124 suppressed iASPP protein expression, upregulated expression of the downstream signaling molecule nuclear factor-kappa B (NF- κ B), and attenuated cell viability, proliferation, and colony formation in SW480 and HT-29 colorectal cancer cells in vitro. Forced overexpression of iASPP partly rescued the inhibitory effect of miR-124 on SW480 and HT29 cell proliferation. Taken together, these findings shed light on the role and mechanism of action of miR-124, indicate that the miR-124/iASPP axis can regulate the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells, and suggest that miR-124 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
authors.forename: Kuijie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Hongliang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Sanlin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: Zhendong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: Tiegang
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Haizhi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Qi
mesh_terms: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA / Q000378:metabolism; D014410:Tumor Stem Cell Assay
chemical_list: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C509207:MIRN124 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; C119612:PPP1R13L protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA