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Constitutive activation of the ETS‐1‐miR‐222 circuitry in metastatic melanoma
Author(s) -
Mattia Gianfranco,
Errico M. Cristina,
Felicetti Federica,
Petrini Marina,
Bottero Lisabianca,
Tomasello Luisa,
Romania Paolo,
Boe Alessandra,
Segnalini Patrizia,
Di Virgilio Antonio,
Colombo Mario P.,
Carè Alessandra
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.2011.00881.x
Subject(s) - melanoma , gene silencing , cancer research , downregulation and upregulation , phosphorylation , microrna , oncogene , regulator , biology , mapk/erk pathway , in vivo , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , genetics , cell cycle
Summary MicroRNAs‐221 and ‐222 are highly upregulated in several solid tumors, including melanomas. We demonstrate that the proto‐oncogene ETS‐1, involved in the pathogenesis of cancers of different origin, is a transcriptional regulator of miR‐222 by direct binding to its promoter region. Differently from 293FT cells or early stage melanomas, where unphosphorylated ETS‐1 represses miR‐222 transcription, in metastatic melanoma the constitutively Thr‐38 phosphorylated fraction of ETS‐1 induces miR‐222. Despite its stepwise decreased expression along with melanoma progression, the oncogenic activity of ETS‐1 relies on its RAS/RAF/ERK‐dependent phosphorylation status more than on its total amount. To close the loop, we demonstrate ETS‐1 as a direct target of miR‐222, but not miR‐221, showing the novel option of their uncoupled functions. In addition, a spatial redistribution of ETS‐1 protein from the nucleus to the cytoplasm is also evidenced in advanced melanoma cells. Finally, in vivo studies confirmed the contribution of miR‐222 to the increased invasive potential obtained by ETS‐ silencing.