Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
08:40
Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library
Published on: April 6, 2012
microRNA-203 suppresses bladder cancer development by repressing bcl-w expression
Juanjie Bo1, Guoliang Yang, Kailing Huo
1Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, China.
The FEBS Journal
|January 6, 2011
Summary
MicroRNA-203 (miR-203) is decreased in bladder cancer, where it suppresses tumor growth and promotes cell death. This microRNA targets the bcl-w gene, suggesting its therapeutic potential for bladder cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in various diseases, including cancer.
- The specific role of miRNAs in bladder cancer development is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of microRNA-203 (miR-203) in bladder cancer.
- To identify miR-203 targets and elucidate its functional effects on bladder cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Real-time PCR to assess miR-203 expression in tumor tissues.
- Luciferase reporter assays, flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis to determine target genes and cellular functions.
- In vitro and in vivo experiments to validate miR-203's effect on the bcl-w gene.
Main Results:
- miR-203 expression was significantly decreased in bladder cancer tissues.
- Overexpression of miR-203 induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in bladder cancer cell lines.
- miR-203 directly targets the 3'-untranslated region of the bcl-w gene, reducing its expression.
- A negative correlation was observed between miR-203 and bcl-w levels in tumor tissues.
Conclusions:
- miR-203 plays a crucial role in the molecular pathogenesis of bladder cancer.
- miR-203 acts as a tumor suppressor by targeting the bcl-w gene.
- miR-203 holds potential as a therapeutic agent for bladder cancer treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:22MicroRNAs
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...
01:22MicroRNAs
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...
02:23Abnormal 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...