The tumor suppressor microRNA let-7 inhibits human LINE-1 retrotransposition

Nat Commun. 2020 Nov 11;11(1):5712. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-19430-4.

Abstract

Nearly half of the human genome is made of transposable elements (TEs) whose activity continues to impact its structure and function. Among them, Long INterspersed Element class 1 (LINE-1 or L1) elements are the only autonomously active TEs in humans. L1s are expressed and mobilized in different cancers, generating mutagenic insertions that could affect tumor malignancy. Tumor suppressor microRNAs are ∼22nt RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate oncogene expression and are frequently downregulated in cancer. Here we explore whether they also influence L1 mobilization. We show that downregulation of let-7 correlates with accumulation of L1 insertions in human lung cancer. Furthermore, we demonstrate that let-7 binds to the L1 mRNA and impairs the translation of the second L1-encoded protein, ORF2p, reducing its mobilization. Overall, our data reveals that let-7, one of the most relevant microRNAs, maintains somatic genome integrity by restricting L1 retrotransposition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung / genetics
  • Binding Sites
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics
  • Endonucleases / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor
  • Humans
  • Long Interspersed Nucleotide Elements / genetics*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / genetics
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Whole Genome Sequencing

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • MicroRNAs
  • ORF2 protein, human
  • RNA, Messenger
  • mirnlet7 microRNA, human
  • RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
  • Endonucleases