Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

07:02
In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice
Published on: August 23, 2019
p16(INK4a) translation suppressed by miR-24
Ashish Lal1, Hyeon Ho Kim, Kotb Abdelmohsen
1Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, National Institute on Aging-IRP, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America. alal@cbrinstitute.org
Plos One
|March 28, 2008
Summary
MicroRNA 24 (miR-24) suppresses the tumor suppressor p16INK4a in aging cells. Decreased miR-24 levels during senescence correlate with increased p16, suggesting miR-24 regulates p16 translation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cellular Senescence
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- The tumor suppressor p16INK4a is upregulated during cellular aging and senescence.
- Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of p16INK4a is crucial for aging research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of microRNA 24 (miR-24) in regulating p16INK4a expression.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which miR-24 affects p16INK4a levels.
Main Methods:
- Utilized human diploid fibroblasts and cervical carcinoma cells.
- Manipulated miR-24 levels through overexpression and antisense inhibition.
- Assessed p16INK4a protein and mRNA levels.
- Employed EGFP-p16 reporter assays to study translation.
Main Results:
- miR-24 was found to suppress p16INK4a expression in tested cell lines.
- Replicative senescence was associated with reduced miR-24 levels and increased p16INK4a.
- Overexpression of miR-24 decreased p16INK4a protein but not mRNA.
- Inhibition of miR-24 enhanced p16INK4a protein levels and translation.
Conclusions:
- miR-24 acts as a repressor of p16INK4a translation.
- The findings suggest miR-24 regulates both initiation and elongation phases of p16INK4a translation.
- miR-24 is a key regulator in the context of cellular senescence and aging.
Related Concept Videos
Abnormal Proliferation
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
Inheritance of Chromatin Structures
Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a cell's phenotype without changing the DNA sequences. It provides a form of memory for the differential gene expression pattern to maintain cell lineage, position-effect variegation, dosage compensation, and maintenance of chromatin structures such as telomeres and centromeres. For example, the structure and location of the centromere on chromosomes are epigenetically inherited. Its functionality is not dictated or ensured by the underlying DNA...
The Retinoblastoma Gene
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
Eukaryotic Transcription Inhibitors
Certain biochemical processes, such as embryonic development and cell growth regulation, depend on the repression of specific genes. DNA binding proteins known as eukaryotic transcription inhibitors regulate the repression of gene expression in eukaryotes. The presence of these inhibitors at the required location and time in the cell is triggered by the presence of hormones and additional signals from other cells.
Eukaryotic transcription inhibitors usually contain two distinct domains, a DNA...
Eukaryotic transcription inhibitors usually contain two distinct domains, a DNA...

