Novel MicroRNAs regulating proliferation and apoptosis in uterine papillary serous carcinomas

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, non-coding RNA transcripts that regulate gene expression. Here, we report 175 putative novel miRNAs identified in uterine cancers profiled by Next Generation Sequencing. Our data indicate that one of these putative miRNAs (BCM-173) is conserved across multiple species and is expressed at levels similar to known human miRNAs. Functionally, this miRNA promotes the growth and migration of uterine cancer cell lines by targeting vinculin and altering the distribution of focal adhesions. These results expand our insight into the repertoire of human miRNAs and identify novel pathways by which dysregulated miRNA expression promotes uterine cancer growth.