Downregulation of Dicer, a component of the microRNA machinery, in bladder cancer

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Published on: November 30, 2013

Deyao Wu1, Jun Tao, Bin Xu

  • 1Department of Urology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong Medical College, Yancheng City No 1 People's Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China.

Molecular Medicine Reports
|December 20, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Dicer enzyme expression is significantly reduced in bladder cancer tissues compared to normal bladder cells. This downregulation of Dicer suggests its potential role in the development of transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs).

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • MicroRNA (miRNA) metabolism is crucial for cellular function and its dysregulation is linked to various human cancers.
  • The enzymes Dicer, Drosha, and DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 8 (DGCR8) are key players in miRNA biogenesis.
  • Altered expression of these enzymes has been implicated in cancer development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression levels of Dicer, Drosha, and DGCR8 in transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs) of the urinary bladder.
  • To determine if the expression of these miRNA processing enzymes is altered in bladder cancer tissues compared to normal bladder mucosa and adjacent normal tissues (NATs).

Main Methods:

  • Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to analyze mRNA levels of Dicer, Drosha, and DGCR8.
  • Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess Dicer protein expression.
  • Clinical specimens including normal bladder mucosa, TCCs, and NATs were utilized.

Main Results:

  • Dicer mRNA levels were significantly lower in TCCs compared to both normal bladder mucosa and NATs.
  • Dicer protein levels were also significantly downregulated in TCCs relative to normal bladder mucosa and NATs.
  • No significant changes were reported for Drosha and DGCR8 in this abstract.

Conclusions:

  • Dicer is significantly downregulated in transitional cell carcinomas of the urinary bladder at both mRNA and protein levels.
  • Reduced Dicer expression may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of bladder cancer.
  • These findings highlight Dicer as a potential biomarker or therapeutic target in bladder cancer.
Keywords:
bladder cancerDicermicroRNA machinery

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