MicroRNA-148a promotes apoptosis and suppresses growth of breast cancer cells by targeting B-cell lymphoma 2. Issue 6 (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Qunying; Ren, Pingping; Shi, Pengfei; Chen, Yihan; Xiang, Feixiang; Zhang, Li; Wang, Jing; Lv, Qing; Xie, Mingxing
• Is Part Of: Anti-cancer drugs. Volume 28:Issue 6(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: apoptosis -- B-cell lymphoma 2 -- breast cancer -- microRNAs -- proliferation; Antineoplastic agents -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; Antineoplastic Agents -- therapeutic use -- Periodicals; Drug Therapy -- Periodicals; 616.994061
• DOI: 10.1097/CAD.0000000000000498
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-4973

Abstract

Abstract : MicroRNAs (miRNAs) contribute toward tumorigenesis through the modulation of tumor-related genes. MiR-148a has been characterized as a tumor-suppressing miRNA and its downregulation has been reported in tumors of a variety of cancers. However, the functional role of miR-148a in breast cancer is not yet fully understood. Using both in-vitro and in-vivo models, we confirmed that miR-148a acts to inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells. Through the use of bioinformatic approaches in miRNA target prediction, we determined that B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) is a likely target of miR-148a. The overexpression and tumorigenic effects of BCL-2 have already been confirmed in cancerous tumors of the breast. A dual-luciferase assay was performed to confirm that miR-148a targets the 3′-untranslated region of BCL-2. In this study, we first characterized the downregulation of miR-148a in breast cancer tissues. We then found that restoring expression of miR-148a suppressed the expression of BCL-2 at the level of both mRNA and protein. Upregulation of miR-148a caused a subsequent reduction of proliferation and an increase in apoptosis. In conclusion, we have confirmed the role of miR-148a as a pivotal regulator in breast cancer through its targeting of BCL-2. This evidence strongly suggests that miR-148a could prove to be a novel therapeutic target in breast cancer. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.