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Updated: Mar 29, 2026
An Orthotopic Murine Model of Human Prostate Cancer Metastasis
Published on: September 18, 2013
Long Non-Coding RNA MEG3 Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer
Background/Aims:
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in diverse biological processes, such as cell growth, apoptosis and migration. Although downregulation of lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) has been identified in several cancers, little is known about its role in prostate cancer progression. The aim of this study was to detect MEG3 expression in clinical prostate cancer tissues, investigate its biological functions in the development of prostate cancer and the underlying mechanism.
Methods:
MEG3 expression levels were detected by qRT-PCR in both tumor tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues from 21 prostate cancer patients. The effects of MEG3 on PC3 and DU145 cells were assessed by MTT assay, colony formation assay, western blot and flow cytometry. Transfected PC3 cells were transplanted into nude mice, and the tumor growth curves were determined.
Results:
MEG3 decreased significantly in prostate cancer tissues relative to adjacent normal tissues. MEG3 inhibited intrinsic cell survival pathway in vitro and in vivo by reducing the protein expression of Bcl-2, enhancing Bax and activating caspase 3. We further demonstrated that MEG3 inhibited the expression of cell cycle regulatory protein Cyclin D1 and induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase.
Conclusions:
Our study presents an important role of MEG3 in the molecular etiology of prostate cancer and implicates the potential application of MEG3 in prostate cancer therapy.
Insights
Long non-coding RNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is significantly downregulated in prostate cancer. MEG3 inhibits prostate cancer progression by suppressing cell survival and inducing cell cycle arrest, suggesting its therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in various biological processes.
- Downregulation of lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is observed in multiple cancers.
- The role of MEG3 in prostate cancer progression remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify MEG3 expression in clinical prostate cancer tissues.
- To elucidate the functional role of MEG3 in prostate cancer development.
- To investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of MEG3's action.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) for MEG3 expression analysis in patient tissues.
- In vitro assays (MTT, colony formation, western blot, flow cytometry) to assess MEG3's effects on cancer cells.
- In vivo studies involving xenotransplantation of transfected cells in nude mice to evaluate tumor growth.
Main Results:
- MEG3 expression was significantly reduced in prostate cancer tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues.
- MEG3 suppressed cell survival pathways by decreasing Bcl-2, increasing Bax, and activating caspase 3.
- MEG3 inhibited cell cycle progression by reducing Cyclin D1 expression and inducing G0/G1 phase arrest.
Conclusions:
- MEG3 plays a critical role in the molecular pathogenesis of prostate cancer.
- MEG3 exhibits tumor-suppressive functions in prostate cancer.
- MEG3 holds potential as a therapeutic target for prostate cancer treatment.
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