Citation

  • Authors: Boyerinas, B., Park, S. M., Shomron, N., Hedegaard, M. M., Vinther, J., Andersen, J. S., Feig, C., Xu, J., Burge, C. B., Peter, M. E.
  • Year: 2008
  • Journal: Cancer Res 68 2587-91
  • Applications: in vitro / siRNA / INTERFERin
  • Cell type: A549
    Description: Human lung carcinoma cells, type II pneumocytes
    Known as: A-549

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small RNA molecules of approximately 20 to 22 nucleotides that reduce expression of proteins through mRNA degradation and/or translational silencing. Each known miRNA has a large number of predicted targets. Members of the let-7/miR-98 family of miRNAs are up-regulated at the end of embryonic development. Let-7 is often down-regulated early during cancer development, suggesting that let-7-regulated oncofetal genes (LOG) may become reexpressed in cancer cells. Using comparative bioinformatics, we have identified 12 conserved LOGs that include HMGA2 and IMP-1/CRD-BP. IMP-1 has growth-promoting activities through stabilization of c-myc mRNA. We experimentally confirmed that IMP-1 is a direct let-7 target that promotes cell growth and motility of tumor cells, and we confirmed by proteomics analysis that IMP-1 and HMGA2 are major miRNA targets. Our data suggest that a substantial part of the growth inhibitory activities of let-7 comes from suppressing the expression of IMP-1. LOGs could be novel therapeutic targets and potential biomarkers for cancer treatment.

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