miR-194 is a negative regulator of GEF-H1 pathway in melanoma

Oncol Rep. 2016 Oct;36(4):2412-20. doi: 10.3892/or.2016.5020. Epub 2016 Aug 12.

Abstract

The incidence and associated mortality of melanoma continues to increase worldwide. At present, there is no curative therapy for advanced stage of melanoma. It is necessary to find new indicators of prognosis and therapeutic targets. Increasing evidence shows that miRNA can provide potential candidate biomarkers for melanoma and therapeutic targets. GEF-H1, a regulator of RhoA, as oncogenic driver in melanoma, promotes the growth and invasion of melanoma. miR-194 is a tumor-suppressor gene in multiple tumors, such as bladder and non-small cell lung cancer, and clear cell renal cell carcinoma. In the present study, we demonstrated that GEF-H1 serves as target of miR-194. Overexpression of miR-194 downregulates the GEF-H1/RhoA pathway, inhibits melanoma cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. Furthermore, miR-194 expression is negatively associated with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages. Briefly, our findings provided new theoretical basis for melanoma treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / biosynthesis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / genetics
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / pathology
  • Male
  • Melanoma / genetics*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • MicroRNAs / biosynthesis
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / biosynthesis
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • MIRN194 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • SLC2A4RG protein, human
  • Transcription Factors