ErbB2-intronic microRNA-4728: a novel tumor suppressor and antagonist of oncogenic MAPK signaling

Cell Death Dis. 2015 May 7;6(5):e1742. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2015.116.

Abstract

Although the role of the ErbB2/HER2 oncogene in cancers has been extensively studied, how ErbB2 is regulated remains poorly understood. A novel microRNA, mir-4728, was recently found within an intron of the ErbB2 gene. However, the function and clinical relevance of this intronic miRNA are completely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that mir-4728 is a negative regulator of MAPK signaling through directly targeting the ERK upstream kinase MST4 and exerts numerous tumor-suppressive properties in vitro and in animal models. Importantly, our patient sample study shows that mir-4728 was under-expressed in breast tumors compared with normal tissue, and loss of mir-4728 correlated with worse overall patient survival. These results strongly suggest that mir-4728 is a tumor-suppressive miRNA that controls MAPK signaling through targeting MST4, revealing mir-4728's significance as a potential prognostic factor and target for therapeutic intervention in cancer. Moreover, this study represents a conceptual advance by providing strong evidence that a tumor-suppressive miRNA can antagonize the canonical signaling of its host oncogene.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Introns
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / genetics
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / metabolism
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / genetics*
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • MIRN4728 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases