MicroRNA-125b induces metastasis by targeting STARD13 in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

PLoS One. 2012;7(5):e35435. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035435. Epub 2012 May 31.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by targeting mRNAs to trigger either translation repression or mRNA degradation. miR-125b is down-regulated in human breast cancer cells compared with the normal ones except highly metastatic tumor cells MDA-MB-231. However, few functional studies were designed to investigate metastatic potential of miR-125b. In this study, the effects of miR-125b on metastasis in human breast cancer cells were studied, and the targets of miR-125b were also explored. Transwell migration assay, cell wound healing assay, adhesion assay and nude mice model of metastasis were utilized to investigate the effects of miR-125b on metastasis potential in vitro and in vivo. In addition, it was implied STARD13 (DLC2) was a direct target of miR-125b by Target-Scan analysis, luciferase reporter assay and western blot. Furthermore, activation of STARD13 was identified responsible for metastasis induced by miR-125b through a siRNA targeting STARD13. qRT-PCR, immunofluorescent assay and western blot was used to observe the variation of Vimentin and α-SMA in breast cancer cells. In summary, our study provided new insights into the function of miR-125b during the metastasis of breat cancer cells and also suggested the role of miR-125b in pro-metastasis by targeting STARD13.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / genetics
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Vimentin / genetics

Substances

  • Actins
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • MIRN125 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • STARD13 protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Vimentin