title: miR-21 coordinates tumor growth and modulates KRIT1 levels.
abstract: miR-21 is overexpressed in tumors and it displays oncogenic activity. Here, we show that expression of miR-21 in primary tumors anticorrelates with KRIT1/CCM1, an interacting partner of the Ras-like GTPase Rap1, involved in Cerebral Cavernous Malformations (CCM). We present evidences that miR-21 silences KRIT1 by targeting its mRNA 3'UTR and that this interaction is involved in tumor growth control. In fact, miR-21 over-expression or KRIT1 knock-down promote anchorage independent tumor cell growth compared to controls, whereas the opposite is observed when anti-miR-21 or KRIT1 overexpression are employed. Our findings suggest that miR-21 promotes tumor cell growth, at least in part, by down-modulating the potential tumor suppressor KRIT1.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Orso
authors.forename: Fiorella
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Balzac
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lembo
authors.forename: Saverio Francesco
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Retta
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Taverna
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D000075927:KRIT1 Protein; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000075927:KRIT1 Protein; C107928:KRIT1 protein, human; C524940:MIRN21 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins
keywords: KRIT1; Tumor growth; miR-21