elafin and Glioma

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in various stages of tumor progression. miR-494, which we had previously identified as a miRNA induced by ionizing radiation (IR) in the glioma cell line U-251, was observed to enhance invasion of U-251 cells by activating MMP-2. The miR-494-induced invasive potential was accompanied by, and dependent on, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) upregulation and the activation of its downstream signaling constituents, Akt and ERK. The upregulation of EGFR by miR-494 involved the suppression of lysosomal protein turnover. Among the putative target proteins tested, p190B RhoGAP (p190B) was downregulated by miR-494, and its reduced expression was responsible for the increase in EGFR expression. A reporter assay using a luciferase construct containing p190B 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) confirmed that p190B is a direct target of miR-494. Downregulation of p190B by small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection closely mimicked the outcomes of miR-494 transfection, and showed increased EGFR expression, MMP-2 secretion, and invasion. Ectopic expression of p190B suppressed the miR-494-induced EGFR upregulation and invasion promotion, thereby suggesting that p190B depletion is critical for the invasion-promoting action of miR-494. Collectively, our results suggest a novel function for miR-494 and its potential application as a target to control invasiveness in cancer therapy.

Topics: Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Down-Regulation; Elafin; ErbB Receptors; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Glioma; GTPase-Activating Proteins; Humans; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; MicroRNAs; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Radiation, Ionizing; Signal Transduction; Up-Regulation

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional and/or translational level by binding loosely complimentary sequences in the 3'untranslated regions (UTRs) of target mRNAs. Increased expressions of several miRNAs, specifically hsa-miR-21, have been reported to modulate glioma development. Here we report downregulation of miR-451 in A172, LN229 and U251 human glioblastoma cells. Increased expression of miR-451 by administration of miR-451 mimics oligonucleotides reversed the biology of each of the three cell lines, inhibiting cell growth, inducing G0/G1 phase arrest and increasing cell apoptosis. Further, treatment with miR-451 mimics oligonucleotides diminished the invasive capacity of these cells, as the number of cells invading through matrigel was significantly decreased. Akt1, CyclinD1, MMP-2, MMP-9 and Bcl-2 protein expression decreased, and p27 expression increased in a dose-dependent manner with miR-451 mimics oligonucleotides. Taken together, these studies reveal miR-451 impacts glioblastoma cell proliferation, invasion and apoptosis, perhaps via regulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. We propose an essential role for miR-451 as a tumor-suppressor of human glioma.

Topics: Apoptosis; Blotting, Western; Brain Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Elafin; Gene Expression; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Genes, Tumor Suppressor; Glioma; Humans; MicroRNAs; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Signal Transduction; Transfection; Up-Regulation