Premium
MicroRNA‐155 targets the SKI gene in human melanoma cell lines
Author(s) -
Levati Lauretta,
Pagani Elena,
Romani Sveva,
Castiglia Daniele,
Piccinni Eugenia,
Covaciu Claudia,
Caporaso Patrizia,
Bondanza Sergio,
Antonetti Francesca R.,
Bonmassar Enzo,
Martelli Fabio,
Alvino Ester,
D’Atri Stefania
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
pigment cell and melanoma research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1755-148X
pISSN - 1755-1471
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-148x.2011.00857.x
Subject(s) - ectopic expression , gene silencing , microrna , melanoma , biology , cancer research , transfection , cell growth , carcinogenesis , rna interference , mir 155 , gene expression , microphthalmia associated transcription factor , regulation of gene expression , cell culture , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , transcription factor , rna , genetics
Summary The SKI protein is a transcriptional coregulator over‐expressed in melanoma. Experimentally induced down‐regulation of SKI inhibits melanoma cell growth in vitro and in vivo. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) negatively modulate gene expression and have been implicated in oncogenesis. We previously showed that microRNA‐155 ( miR‐155 ) is down‐regulated in melanoma cells as compared with normal melanocytes and that its ectopic expression impairs proliferation and induces apoptosis. Here, we investigated whether miR‐155 could mediate melanoma growth inhibition via SKI gene silencing. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that miR‐155 interacted with SKI 3′UTR and impaired gene expression. Transfection of melanoma cells with miR‐155 reduced SKI levels, while inhibition of endogenous miR‐155 up‐regulated SKI expression. Specifically designed small interfering RNAs reduced SKI expression and inhibited proliferation. However, melanoma cells over‐expressing a 3′UTR‐deleted SKI were still susceptible to the antiproliferative effect of miR‐155 . Our data demonstrate for the first time that SKI is a target of miR‐155 in melanoma. However, impairment of SKI expression is not the leading mechanism involved in the growth‐suppressive effect of miR‐155 found in this malignancy.