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Updated: May 12, 2026
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Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library
Published on: April 6, 2012
MicroRNA-203 functions as a tumor suppressor in basal cell carcinoma
1Molecular Dermatology Research Group, Unit of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Oncogenesis
|April 5, 2013
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) like miR-203 are downregulated in basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Restoring miR-203 levels suppressed tumor growth in a mouse model, suggesting its therapeutic potential for skin cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common human skin cancer.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs frequently misregulated in cancers.
- The Hedgehog (HH) and EGFR/MEK/ERK/c-JUN pathways are implicated in BCC development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of miR-203 in basal cell carcinoma.
- To identify regulatory mechanisms controlling miR-203 expression in BCC.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of miR-203 in BCC.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of miR-203 expression in BCC tissues.
- Investigation of signaling pathways (HH, EGFR/MEK/ERK/c-JUN) affecting miR-203.
- Identification of direct targets of miR-203 using in vivo models.
- Therapeutic efficacy assessment of miR-203 mimics in a BCC mouse model.
Main Results:
- miR-203 is significantly downregulated in BCC.
- Hedgehog and EGFR/MEK/ERK/c-JUN signaling pathways suppress miR-203 expression.
- c-JUN is identified as a direct in vivo target of miR-203.
- In vivo delivery of miR-203 mimics reduced BCC tumor growth in mice.
Conclusions:
- miR-203 acts as a tumor suppressor in BCC by regulating c-JUN.
- Suppressed miR-203 contributes to BCC oncogenesis by derepressing stemness and proliferation genes.
- miR-203 restoration holds therapeutic promise for basal cell carcinoma treatment.
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