Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026
Clinicopathological Analysis of miRNA Expression in Breast Cancer Tissues by Using miRNA In Situ Hybridization
Published on: June 7, 2016
MicroRNAs regulate KDM5 histone demethylases in breast cancer cells
Hélène Denis1, Olivier Van Grembergen1, Benjamin Delatte1
1Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium. rdeplus@ulb.ac.be.
Abstract:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. Alteration of miRNA levels is common in tumors and contributes to the pathogenesis of human malignancies. In the present study we examined the role played by miR-137 in breast tumorigenesis. We found miR-137 levels to be lower in breast cancer cells than in their non-tumorigenic counterparts and observed reduced proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells overexpressing miR-137. We further identified KDM5B, a histone demethylase known to be involved in breast cancer tumorigenesis, as a target of miR-137. As the involvement of histone demethylases in cancer is still poorly understood and as the role of miRNAs in controlling epigenetic mechanisms in cancer is emerging, we broadened our study to the whole KDM5 histone demethylase family to see if the genes coding for these epigenetic enzymes might be regulated by miRNAs in cancer cells. We discovered that KDM5C is overexpressed in breast cancer cells, providing evidence that miR-138 regulates its expression. We found miR-138 overexpression to affect breast cancer cell proliferation. Altogether, our findings suggest that miRNAs may regulate KDM5 histone demethylase levels in breast cancer and thereby control breast cancer cell proliferation and migration.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial in breast cancer. This study shows miR-137 and miR-138 regulate key genes, impacting cancer cell growth and migration.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Oncology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally.
- Aberrant miRNA expression is implicated in human cancer development and progression.
- The role of miRNAs in epigenetic regulation within cancer is an emerging area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of miR-137 in breast cancer pathogenesis.
- To explore the regulation of the KDM5 histone demethylase family by miRNAs in breast cancer cells.
- To determine the impact of specific miRNAs on breast cancer cell proliferation and migration.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of miRNA and gene expression in breast cancer cell lines.
- Functional assays assessing cell proliferation and migration upon miRNA overexpression.
- Identification of miRNA targets using molecular and genetic approaches.
Main Results:
- miR-137 levels were decreased in breast cancer cells; its overexpression reduced proliferation and migration.
- KDM5B was identified as a direct target of miR-137.
- KDM5C was found to be overexpressed in breast cancer cells, and its expression is regulated by miR-138.
- miR-138 overexpression affected breast cancer cell proliferation.
Conclusions:
- miRNAs, including miR-137 and miR-138, play a significant role in regulating breast cancer cell behavior.
- The KDM5 histone demethylase family is a target of miRNA-mediated regulation in breast cancer.
- These findings highlight a potential mechanism involving miRNAs and epigenetic modifiers in controlling breast cancer progression.
Related Concept Videos
01:22MicroRNAs
01:22MicroRNAs
01:22MicroRNAs
01:46Epigenetic Regulation
01:37Epigenetic Regulation
X-chromosome...
02:23Abnormal Proliferation