MicroRNA-21 is involved in osteosarcoma cell invasion and migration

Med Oncol. 2011 Dec;28(4):1469-74. doi: 10.1007/s12032-010-9563-7. Epub 2010 May 18.

Abstract

MicroRNAs are involved in different cancer-related processes. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21), as an oncomiR, is overexpressed in all kinds of tumors and the role of miR-21 in carcinogenesis is elucidated in many cancers gradually. However, the function of miR-21 in osteosarcoma is still unclear. In our study, we found that miR-21 was significantly overexpressed in osteosarcoma tissues. More importantly, we confirmed that knockdown of miR-21 greatly decreased cell invasion and migration of MG-63. Furthermore, we identified that RECK (reversion-inducing-cysteine-rich protein with kazal motifs), a tumor suppressor gene, was a direct target of miR-21. Finally, the expression of RECK protein negatively correlated with the expression of miR-21 in human osteosarcoma tissues, indicating the potential regulation of RECK by miR-21. Our results suggest that miR-21 expression has a key role in regulating cellular processes in osteosarcoma, likely through regulating RECK and may serve as a therapeutic target.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Western
  • Bone Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Bone Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Cell Movement*
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / biosynthesis
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics
  • Osteosarcoma / genetics*
  • Osteosarcoma / metabolism
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • MIRN21 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • RECK protein, human