Open AccessMicroRNA‐107, an oncogene microRNA that regulates tumour invasion and metastasis by targeting DICER1 in gastric cancer
Author(s) -
Li Xiaohua,
Zhang Ying,
Shi Yongquan,
Dong Guanglong,
Liang Jie,
Han Ying,
Wang Xin,
Zhao Qingchuan,
Ding Jie,
Wu Kaichun,
Fan Daiming
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2010.01194.x
Subject(s) - gene silencing , microrna , oncogene , metastasis , cancer research , cancer , biology , cancer cell , cell cycle , gene , genetics
MicroRNAs are small non‐coding RNA molecules that control expression of target genes. Previous studies showed that microRNA‐107 (miR‐107) is overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues compared with the matched normal tissues. However, it remains largely unclear as to how miR‐107 exerts its function and modulates the malignant phenotypes of gastric cancer, because our understanding of miR‐107 signalling pathways is limited. In this study, we demonstrate that miR‐107 is frequently up‐regulated in gastric cancers and its overexpression is significantly associated with gastric cancer metastasis. Furthermore, silencing the expression of miR‐107 could inhibit gastric cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo . Subsequent investigation characterized DICER1 as a direct target of miR‐107. Up‐regulation of DICER1 resulted in a dramatic reduction of in vitro migration, invasion, in vivo liver metastasis of nude mice, which is similar to that occurs with the silencing of miR‐107, indicating that DICER1 functions as a metastasis suppressor in gastric cancer. Furthermore, the restoration of DICER1 can inhibit miR‐107‐induced gastric cancer cell invasion and metastasis. In conclusion, our results suggested that miR‐107, an oncogene miRNA promoting gastric cancer metastasis through down‐regulation of DICER1. Inhibition of miR‐107 or restoration of DICER1 may represent a new potential therapeutic target for gastric cancer treatment.