Negative regulation of miR-145 by C/EBP-β through the Akt pathway in cancer cells

Nucleic Acids Res. 2012 Aug;40(14):6683-92. doi: 10.1093/nar/gks324. Epub 2012 Apr 11.

Abstract

MicroRNAs are master gene regulators that can also be under the control of transcriptional regulation. We have previously shown that miR-145 is a tumor suppressor capable of silencing c-Myc and the tumor suppressor p53 induces miR-145 by directly binding to the miR-145 promoter, demonstrating the role of miR-145 in p53-mediated c-Myc repression. However, little is known as to why miR-145 is often downregulated in tumors. In this study, we identify CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBP-β) as a negative regulator for miR-145 expression by direct interaction with the putative C/EBP-β binding site in the miR-145 promoter. In the wild-type p53 background, C/EBP-β counteracts the ability of p53 to induce miR-145. Moreover, C/EBP-β is able to suppress miR-145 in the mutant p53 background, suggesting the p53 independent regulation of miR-145. Of interest, both the large isoform (LAP-2) and the small isoform (LIP) of C/EBP-β can exert suppressive function for miR-145. Finally, we further show that, like serum starvation and PI3K inhibitor LY29, the antioxidant resveratrol suppresses pAkt and phosphorylation of C/EBP-β and at the same time, it induces miR-145. Together, these results suggest a miR-145 regulatory system involving the Akt and C/EBP-β, which may contribute to the downregulation of miR-145 in cancer cells.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
  • Binding Sites
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / biosynthesis
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Resveratrol
  • Signal Transduction
  • Stilbenes / pharmacology
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta
  • MicroRNAs
  • Stilbenes
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Resveratrol