miR-137 acts as a tumor suppressor in papillary thyroid carcinoma by targeting CXCL12

Abstract

Up to date, miR-137 has been demonstrated as a tumor suppressor in many kinds of human malignancies. In the present study, we conducted transfection, western blot and RT-PCR to explore the role of miR-137 in the development of human glioblastoma (GBM). Here, we found that miR-137 expression was obviously down-regulated in GBM tissues and cells rather than matched non-tumor tissues and NHA cells. However, the expression of C-X-C motif ligand 12 (CXCL12) mRNA and protein were up-regulated in GBM tissues and cells. In vitro, miR-137 mimics inhibited GBM cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and the 3′-untranslated regions (3′-UTR) of CXCL12 were a direct target of miR-137. In addition, miR-137 mimics also inhibited the expression of EGFR, Bcl-2 and MMP2/9 proteins, but increased the expression of Bax protein. Notably, CXCL12 over-expression attenuated miR-137-inhibited cell proliferation and invasion, while CXCL12 siRNAs promoted miR-137 inhibition effects. In vivo, miR-137 mimics also suppressed tumor growth in nude mice xenograft model. In conclusion, miR-137 serves as a tumor suppressor by inhibition of CXCL12 in human GBM. Thus, miR-137-CXCL12 can be recommended as a useful and effective target for treatment of GBM.

MiR-137 and miR-34a directly target Snail and inhibit EMT, invasion and sphere-forming ability of ovarian cancer cells

“…We demonstrate for the first time that miR-137 can directly repress Snail expression through its binding to the specific binding site in the 3′-UTR of the human Snail gene, thereby negatively regulating EMT, invasion and self-renewal of OC cells. It is interesting to note that a tumor-suppressive role for miR-137 has also been shown in a variety of human tumors [24–26]. Thus, these data and our current results reveal that, the anti-invasive effects of miR-137 described here for OC—possibly mediated by Snail suppression—might be relevant in other tumor types.…”

Pivotal MicroRNAs in Melanoma: A Mini-Review

“…miRNA-137 is thought to regulate expression of other genes and has been implicated as a tumor suppressor in several cancers, including colorectal cancer [59], papillary thyroid carcinoma [60], and lung cancer [61], via cell cycle control. The studies conducted to date have shown that miRNA-137 plays an important role in melanoma, but its main function is still unclear.…”

MicroRNAs in the thyroid

“…In a miRNA expression profiling study in PTC, miR-137 expression has been shown to be down-regulated [33]. In thyroid cancer cells, miR-137 inhibits cellular proliferation, invasion and migration and targets CXCL12 [33].…”

“…In thyroid cancer cells, miR-137 inhibits cellular proliferation, invasion and migration and targets CXCL12 [33]. CXCL12 is a chemokine that was found to be upregulated in PTC and inversely correlated with miR-137 expression [33,43].…”

“…In thyroid cancer cells, miR-137 inhibits cellular proliferation, invasion and migration and targets CXCL12 [33]. CXCL12 is a chemokine that was found to be upregulated in PTC and inversely correlated with miR-137 expression [33,43]. Binding of CXCL12 on its receptor CXCR4 leads to the activation of the oncogenic pathways ERK1/2, MAPK, JNK and Akt [44,45].…”