Cancer exosomes perform cell-independent microRNA biogenesis and promote tumorigenesis

Cancer Cell. 2014 Nov 10;26(5):707-21. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2014.09.005. Epub 2014 Oct 23.

Abstract

Exosomes are secreted by all cell types and contain proteins and nucleic acids. Here, we report that breast cancer associated exosomes contain microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with the RISC-Loading Complex (RLC) and display cell-independent capacity to process precursor microRNAs (pre-miRNAs) into mature miRNAs. Pre-miRNAs, along with Dicer, AGO2, and TRBP, are present in exosomes of cancer cells. CD43 mediates the accumulation of Dicer specifically in cancer exosomes. Cancer exosomes mediate an efficient and rapid silencing of mRNAs to reprogram the target cell transcriptome. Exosomes derived from cells and sera of patients with breast cancer instigate nontumorigenic epithelial cells to form tumors in a Dicer-dependent manner. These findings offer opportunities for the development of exosomes based biomarkers and therapies.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Argonaute Proteins / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Carboxypeptidases / metabolism
  • Carcinogenesis / metabolism*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / metabolism
  • Exosomes / physiology*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / biosynthesis*
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Ribonuclease III / metabolism
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • AGO2 protein, human
  • Argonaute Proteins
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • trans-activation responsive RNA-binding protein
  • DICER1 protein, human
  • Ribonuclease III
  • Carboxypeptidases
  • SCPEP1 protein, human
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE60716