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Updated: May 6, 2026

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library
Published on: April 6, 2012
microRNA-27a functions as a tumor suppressor in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by targeting KRAS
Linan Zhu1, Zhiju Wang, Qingxia Fan
1Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China.
Abstract:
microRNAs (miRNAs) have been suggested to play a vital role in regulating tumor progression and invasion. However, the expression of miR-27a in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its effect on the tumorigenesis of ESCC are unclear. In the present study, we found that miR-27a was downregulated in esophageal carcinoma cell lines and ESCC specimens with lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that miR-27a binds to the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of KRAS and inhibits the expression of the KRAS protein. miR-27a levels were inversely correlated with levels of KRAS mRNA and protein in ESCC specimens. Both in vitro and in vivo assays revealed that miR-27a attenuated ESCC proliferation, invasion and tumor growth in nude mice. miR-27a exerts its tumor suppressor function through inhibition of the KRAS-related ERK pathways. Our findings suggest, for the first time, that miR-27a suppresses tumorigenesis of ESCC by targeting KRAS.
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