RNA-sequence-based microRNA expression signature in breast cancer: tumor-suppressive miR-101-5p regulates molecular pathogenesis

Mol Oncol. 2020 Feb;14(2):426-446. doi: 10.1002/1878-0261.12602. Epub 2019 Dec 29.

Abstract

Aberrantly expressed microRNA (miRNA) are known to disrupt intracellular RNA networks in cancer cells. Exploring miRNA-dependent molecular networks is a major challenge in cancer research. In this study, we performed RNA-sequencing of breast cancer (BrCa) clinical specimens to identify tumor-suppressive miRNA in BrCa. In total, 64 miRNA were identified as candidate tumor-suppressive miRNA in BrCa cells. Analysis of our BrCa signature revealed that several miRNA duplexes (guide strand/passenger strand) derived from pre-miRNA were downregulated in BrCa tissues (e.g. miR-99a-5p/-3p, miR-101-5p/-3p, miR-126-5p/-3p, miR-143-5p/-3p, and miR-144-5p/-3p). Among these miRNA, we focused on miR-101-5p, the passenger strand of pre-miR-101, and investigated its tumor-suppressive roles and oncogenic targets in BrCa cells. Low expression of miR-101-5p predicted poor prognosis in patients with BrCa (overall survival rate: P = 0.0316). Ectopic expression of miR-101-5p attenuated aggressive phenotypes, e.g. proliferation, migration, and invasion, in BrCa cells. Finally, we identified seven putative oncogenic genes (i.e. High Mobility Group Box 3, Epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1, GINS complex subunit 1 (GINS1), Tumor Protein D52, Serine/Arginine-Rich Splicing Factor Kinase 1, Vang-like protein 1, and Mago Homolog B) regulated by miR-101-5p in BrCa cells. The expression of these target genes was associated with the molecular pathogenesis of BrCa. Furthermore, we explored the oncogenic roles of GINS1, whose function had not been previously elucidated, in BrCa cells. Aberrant expression of GINS1 mRNA and protein was observed in BrCa clinical specimens, and high GINS1 expression significantly predicted poor prognosis in patients with BrCa (overall survival rate: P = 0.0126). Knockdown of GINS1 inhibited the malignant features of BrCa cells. Thus, identification of tumor-suppressive miRNA and molecular networks controlled by these miRNA in BrCa cells may be an effective strategy for elucidation of the molecular pathogenesis of this disease.

Keywords: GINS1; miR-101-5p; breast cancer; microRNA; pathogenesis; tumor suppressor.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Gene Silencing
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor*
  • HMGB3 Protein / genetics
  • HMGB3 Protein / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • ESRP1 protein, human
  • GINS1 protein, human
  • HMGB3 Protein
  • MAGOH protein, human
  • MIRN101 microRNA, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • MicroRNAs
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • TPD52 protein, human
  • VANGL1 protein, human