miR-212 increases tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand sensitivity in non-small cell lung cancer by targeting the antiapoptotic protein PED

miR-132 and miR-212 are increased in pancreatic cancer and target the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor

Numerous microRNAs (miRNAs) are reported as differentially expressed in cancer, however the consequence of miRNA deregulation in cancer is unknown for many miRNAs. We report that two miRNAs located on chromosome 17p13, miR-132 and miR-212, are over-expressed in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tissues. Both miRNAs are predicted to target the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor, Rb1. Validation of this interaction was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay and western blot in a pancreatic cancer cell line transfected with pre-miR-212 and pre-miR-132 oligos. Cell proliferation was enhanced in Panc-1 cells transfected with pre-miR-132/-212 oligos. Conversely, antisense oligos to miR-132/-212 reduced cell proliferation and caused a G(2)/M cell cycle arrest. The mRNA of a number of E2F transcriptional targets were increased in cells over expressing miR-132/-212. Exposing Panc-1 cells to the β2 adrenergic receptor agonist, terbutaline, increased the miR-132 and miR-212 expression by 2- to 4-fold. We report that over-expression of miR-132 and miR-212 result in reduced pRb protein in pancreatic cancer cells and that the increase in cell proliferation from over-expression of these miRNAs is likely due to increased expression of several E2F target genes. The β2 adrenergic pathway may play an important role in this novel mechanism.

MicroRNA regulation of core apoptosis pathways in cancer

Recent research has demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of many cell processes often deregulated in cancer, including apoptosis. Indeed, it is becoming clear that many miRNAs are anti-apoptotic and mediate this effect by targeting pro-apoptotic mRNAs or positive regulators of pro-apoptotic mRNAs. Conversely, many pro-apoptotic miRNAs target anti-apoptotic mRNAs or their positive regulators. We have reviewed the current knowledge in this area including evidence of miRNA involvement in cancer drug resistance.

MicroRNA-208 modulates BMP-2-stimulated mouse preosteoblast differentiation by directly targeting V-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog 1

MicroRNAs (miRs) represent a class of endogenous approximately 18-25 nucleotide RNAs that regulate gene expression through translational repression by binding to a target mRNA. These miRs regulate several biological functions, such as cell growth, cell differentiation, carcinogenesis, and so on. In a previous report, we have indicated that miR-141 and -200a act as preosteoblast differentiation modulators. In the present study, using microRNA array and in silico analyses, we found that miR-208 is closely involved in preosteoblast differentiation by partially regulating the expression of Ets1 (V-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog 1), which transactivates osteopontin, runt-related transcription factor 2, parathyroid hormone-related protein, and type I procollagen. Furthermore, the enforced expression of mature miR-208 in murine preosteoblast in MC3T3-E1 cells or primary osteoblast cells remarkably attenuated BMP-2-induced preosteoblast differentiation. In addition, we determined that Ets1 is a target gene of miR-208 by using a sensor luciferase reporter assay. Taken together, these results suggest that the down-regulation of miR-208 in BMP-2-stimulated osteoblast differentiation is an important part of the regulatory machinery involved in early osteogenesis.