Gastrin-induced miR-222 promotes gastric tumor development by suppressing p27kip1.
Elevated circulating concentrations of the hormone gastrin contribute to the development of gastric adenocarcinoma and types-1 and 2 gastric neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate proteins which in turn influence various biological processes. We hypothesised that gastrin induces the expression of specific gastric miRNAs within CCK2 receptor (CCK2R) expressing cells and that these mediate functionally important actions of gastrin.



Gastrin increased miR-222 expression in AGSGR cells, with maximum changes observed at 10 nM G17 for 24 h. Signalling occurred via CCK2R and the PKC and PI3K pathways. miR-222 expression was increased in the serum and gastric corpus mucosa of hypergastrinemic INS-GAS mice and hypergastrinemic patients with autoimmune atrophic gastritis and type 1 gastric NETs; it decreased in patients following treatment with the CCK2R antagonist netazepide (YF476). Gastrin-induced miR-222 overexpression resulted in reduced expression and cytoplasmic mislocalisation of p27kip1, which in turn caused actin remodelling and increased migration in AGSGR cells.



miRNA PCR arrays were used to identify changes in miRNA expression following G17 treatment of human gastric adenocarcinoma cells stably transfected with CCK2R (AGSGR). miR-222 was further investigated using primer assays and samples from hypergastrinemic mice and humans. Chemically synthesised mimics and inhibitors were used to assess cellular phenotypical changes associated with miR-222 dysregulation.



These data indicate a novel mechanism contributing to gastrin-associated gastric tumor development. miR-222 may also be a promising biomarker for monitoring gastrin induced premalignant changes in the stomach.
Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Katie A
KA
Lloyd
Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.|Gastroenterology Directorate, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Andrew R
AR
Moore
Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Bryony N
BN
Parsons
Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Adrian
A
O'Hara
Trio Medicines Ltd., London, United Kingdom.
Malcolm
M
Boyce
Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Graham J
GJ
Dockray
Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Andrea
A
Varro
Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.|Gastroenterology Directorate, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
D Mark
DM
Pritchard
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D050760:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005755:Gastrins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D050760:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27; D005755:Gastrins; D035683:MicroRNAs; C525710:MIR222, human; C546123:MIRN222 microRNA, mouse
CCK2 receptor; carcinoid; microRNA; neuroendocrine; stomach