Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Induction of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transitions in Sarcoma Cells
11:42

Induction of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transitions in Sarcoma Cells

Published on: April 7, 2017

9.9K

Downregulation of miR-221 Inhibits Cell Migration and Invasion through Targeting Methyl-CpG Binding Domain Protein 2

Shuqi He1, Renfa Lai1, Dan Chen2

  • 1The Medical Centre of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China.

Biomed Research International
|January 21, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Downregulating microRNA-221 (miR-221) inhibits oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell migration and invasion. This occurs by targeting methyl-CpG binding domain protein 2 (MBD2) in OSCC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a highly malignant cancer known for local invasion and distant metastasis.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their role in regulating cancer cell metastasis and invasion.
  • Understanding the specific roles of miRNAs in OSCC progression is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of miR-221 in the metastasis and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
  • To identify potential target genes of miR-221 involved in OSCC cell behavior.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting miR-221 in OSCC.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to compare miR-221 expression in highly metastatic versus less metastatic OSCC cell lines.
  • miR-221 expression was inhibited using a miR-221 inhibitor in UM1 cells.
  • Transwell migration and invasion assays were performed to assess cell motility.
  • Western blotting and gene silencing were used to validate methyl-CpG binding domain protein 2 (MBD2) as a direct target of miR-221.

Main Results:

  • miR-221 was found to be significantly upregulated in highly metastatic OSCC cell lines compared to less metastatic ones.
  • Inhibition of miR-221 led to a significant suppression of migration and invasion in UM1 OSCC cells.
  • Methyl-CpG binding domain protein 2 (MBD2) was confirmed as a direct target of miR-221.
  • Silencing of MBD2 partially reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-221 downregulation on cell migration and invasion.

Conclusions:

  • Upregulation of miR-221 is associated with increased metastatic potential in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
  • Downregulation of miR-221 inhibits OSCC cell migration and invasion, at least partially by targeting MBD2.
  • Targeting the miR-221/MBD2 pathway presents a potential therapeutic strategy for managing OSCC metastasis.

More Related Videos

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library08:40

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library

Published on: April 6, 2012

18.1K
Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment11:13

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment

Published on: June 9, 2023

2.5K

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...
4.2K
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...
24.6K
Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia01:35

Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia

Invadosome is a broad category of cell surface structures with proteolytic activity that  degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM). Invadosomes are present in normal cell types, including macrophages, endothelial cells, and neurons, as well as tumor cells. Although the macrophage podosomes and tumor cell invadopodia are classified as invadosomes, they have different structures, molecular pathways, and functions. Podosomes are short structures that last for a few minutes. However,...
3.5K
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...
6.2K
Role of Myosin in Cell Migration01:18

Role of Myosin in Cell Migration

Myosins are multimeric motor proteins involved in various cellular processes such as migration, adhesion, and proliferation. Myosin II is the most common type in animal cells, which binds and cross-links actin filaments.
Myosin II  is a hexamer comprising two heavy chains with globular heads and coiled-coil tails, two regulatory light chains, and two essential light chains. The ATPase sites on the myosin heads hydrolyze ATP, and the released phosphate generates the force for contraction....
3.7K
Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
6.8K