Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Isolation, Enrichment, and Maintenance of Medulloblastoma Stem Cells
06:32

Isolation, Enrichment, and Maintenance of Medulloblastoma Stem Cells

Published on: September 1, 2010

16.9K

miR-135a Inhibits Cancer Stem Cell-Driven Medulloblastoma Development by Directly Repressing Arhgef6 Expression

Katayoun Hemmesi1, Mario Leonardo Squadrito, Pieter Mestdagh

  • 1Neural Stem Cell Biology Unit, Division of Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells and Gene Therapy, Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.

Stem Cells (Dayton, Ohio)
|February 3, 2015
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression. This study found miR-135a suppresses medulloblastoma tumor-initiating potential by targeting Arhgef6, offering a potential therapeutic strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Oncology

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression.
  • Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive tumor initiation and progression.
  • Medulloblastoma (MB) is a malignant pediatric brain tumor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of miRNAs in the tumor-initiating potential of mouse MB-derived CSCs.
  • To identify specific miRNA signatures associated with highly tumorigenic (HT) CSCs.
  • To explore miR-135a as a potential therapeutic target in MB.

Main Methods:

  • miRNA profiling of highly tumorigenic (HT) MB CSCs, lowly tumorigenic MB CSCs, and normal neural stem cells.
  • Cross-referencing mRNA and miRNA profiles to identify regulatory relationships.
  • Enforced expression of miR-135a in HT CSCs to assess its effect on tumorigenesis.
  • Analysis of the direct target gene Arhgef6.

Main Results:

  • A specific miRNA signature was identified in HT MB CSCs.
  • miR-135a was found to be significantly downregulated in HT CSCs and associated tumors.
  • Enforced miR-135a expression inhibited MB CSC tumorigenesis.
  • miR-135a directly repressed its target gene Arhgef6.

Conclusions:

  • miR-135a acts as a tumor suppressor in medulloblastoma.
  • Downregulation of miR-135a contributes to the high tumorigenic potential of MB CSCs.
  • Targeting Arhgef6 via miR-135a represents a potential therapeutic strategy for MB.
Keywords:
Arhgef6Cancer stem cellMedulloblastomamiR-135amiRNA signature

More Related Videos

Intracranial Orthotopic Allografting of Medulloblastoma Cells in Immunocompromised Mice05:10

Intracranial Orthotopic Allografting of Medulloblastoma Cells in Immunocompromised Mice

Published on: October 3, 2010

12.7K
Quantitative PCR-based Assay to Measure Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cellular Model of Ciliogenesis07:26

Quantitative PCR-based Assay to Measure Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cellular Model of Ciliogenesis

Published on: January 31, 2025

1.2K

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
4.4K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
24.9K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
8.5K
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance02:40

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
6.4K
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance02:40

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

2.4K
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:06

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic...
6.4K