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Dicer is down-regulated in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and in vitro Dicer knockdown enhances malignant phenotype

Xin Ma1, Yang Fan1, Yu Gao1

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Department of Urology, Military Postgraduate Medical College, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.

Urologic Oncology
|October 8, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Reduced Dicer enzyme expression is linked to clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) development and metastasis. Lower Dicer levels in ccRCC tissues correlate with advanced tumor stages and promote cancer cell growth and spread.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • MicroRNA (miRNA) biogenesis is crucial in cellular functions.
  • Deregulation of miRNA machinery is implicated in human cancers.
  • The role of Dicer in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate Dicer enzyme deregulation in ccRCC.
  • To determine the impact of Dicer on ccRCC cell behavior in vitro.

Main Methods:

  • Dicer expression analyzed via RT-qPCR and Western blot in ccRCC cell lines and patient samples.
  • Immunohistochemistry used to assess Dicer protein levels.
  • Dicer knockdown performed using short interfering RNA (siRNA).
  • Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion assays (MTS, flow cytometry, Transwell) evaluated Dicer's functional role.

Main Results:

  • Dicer expression significantly down-regulated in ccRCC cell lines and tumors compared to normal kidney tissues.
  • Lower Dicer levels observed in metastatic ccRCC and correlated with advanced tumor-node-metastasis stage.
  • In vitro Dicer knockdown promoted ccRCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced Dicer expression is associated with ccRCC tumorigenesis.
  • Further decrease in Dicer levels may contribute to ccRCC distant metastasis.
Keywords:
Clear cell renal cell carcinomaDicerInvasionMetastasisMigrationProliferation

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