Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice
Published on: August 23, 2019
RTN4IP1 is down-regulated in thyroid cancer and has tumor-suppressive function
Reza Rahbari1, Mio Kitano, Lisa Zhang
1Endocrine Oncology Branch, Clinical Research Center, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1201, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
Reticulon 4 interacting protein 1 (RTN4IP1) is down-regulated in thyroid cancer, suggesting a tumor-suppressive role. Its reduced expression correlates with larger tumors and increased cancer cell proliferation and invasion.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Reticulon 4 interacting protein 1 (RTN4IP1) is differentially expressed in thyroid cancer.
- The RTN4IP1 gene is located on chromosome 6q21, a region often altered in malignancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize RTN4IP1 expression in normal, hyperplastic, and cancerous thyroid tissues.
- To evaluate the functional role of RTN4IP1 in thyroid cancer cell phenotypes.
Main Methods:
- RTN4IP1 mRNA expression analysis in various thyroid tissue types.
- Small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of RTN4IP1 in three thyroid cancer cell lines (papillary, follicular, Hürthle cell).
- Assessment of malignant cell phenotypes: proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, spheroid formation, and anchorage-independent growth.
Main Results:
- RTN4IP1 mRNA expression was significantly lower in follicular and papillary thyroid cancers compared to normal, hyperplastic, and benign tissues.
- Lower RTN4IP1 expression correlated with larger papillary thyroid cancers.
- RTN4IP1 knockdown increased proliferation, invasion, migration, colony formation, and tumor spheroid formation in cancer cell lines.
Conclusions:
- RTN4IP1 is down-regulated in thyroid cancer and linked to larger tumor size.
- RTN4IP1 plays a role in regulating malignant cell phenotypes.
- RTN4IP1 exhibits tumor-suppressive functions and may influence thyroid cancer progression.
Related Concept Videos
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR activation may...
Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The iodine is then...
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
The Retinoblastoma Gene
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,...
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs