Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 26, 2026

An In Vitro Protocol for Evaluating MicroRNA Levels, Functions, and Associated Target Genes in Tumor Cells
09:45

An In Vitro Protocol for Evaluating MicroRNA Levels, Functions, and Associated Target Genes in Tumor Cells

Published on: May 21, 2019

9.0K

mRNA export protein THOC5 as a tool for identification of target genes for cancer therapy

Doan Duy Hai Tran1, Shashank Saran1, Alexandra Koch1

  • 1Institut fuer Biochemie, OE4310, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, D-30623 Hannover, Germany.

Cancer Letters
|February 2, 2016
PubMed

Insights

The THO complex selectively exports mRNAs crucial for cell functions. Its depletion triggers apoptosis in cancer cells, offering a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • mRNA export is a selective process, prioritizing specific mRNAs involved in vital cellular functions like proliferation, differentiation, stress response, and survival.
  • The THO (TRNA-homologous) complex, a key component of the mRNA export machinery, regulates the expression of a subset of genes.
  • Depletion of THO complex components leads to significant phenotypic changes, including cell cycle arrest, aberrant differentiation, and apoptosis, particularly in stem and cancer cells, while sparing normal cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the fundamental features and functions of the THO mRNA export complex.
  • To elucidate the biological consequences of THO complex member depletion in both normal and cancerous cells.
  • To identify target genes regulated by the THO complex and explore their therapeutic potential in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of mRNA export mechanisms and the THO complex.
  • Analysis of phenotypic alterations in cells with depleted THO complex components.
  • Identification and validation of THO complex target genes, including THOC5.
  • Evaluation of THOC5-dependent genes for potential cancer therapeutic applications.

Main Results:

  • The THO complex plays a critical role in the selective export of mRNAs essential for diverse biological processes.
  • THO complex depletion induces apoptosis in cancer cells and stem cells, but not in normal somatic cells.
  • Identification of specific genes, including THOC5, as key targets of the THO complex.
  • Preliminary data suggests THOC5-dependent genes are promising candidates for targeted cancer therapy.

Conclusions:

  • The THO complex is a crucial regulator of gene expression with significant implications in cancer biology.
  • Targeting THO complex-dependent pathways, particularly THOC5, presents a viable strategy for developing novel cancer therapies.
  • Selective induction of apoptosis in cancer cells via THO complex modulation offers a promising therapeutic avenue.
Keywords:
Fine tuning genesTarget genes for cancer therapymRNA export complex

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Transmembrane Protein Family-Related Markers in Gastric Cancer and Implications for Targeted Therapies07:47

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Transmembrane Protein Family-Related Markers in Gastric Cancer and Implications for Targeted Therapies

Published on: September 15, 2023

2.4K
Characterization of Functionally Associated miRNAs in Glioblastoma and their Engineering into Artificial Clusters for Gene Therapy09:40

Characterization of Functionally Associated miRNAs in Glioblastoma and their Engineering into Artificial Clusters for Gene Therapy

Published on: October 4, 2019

6.0K

Related Concept Videos

Ribosome Profiling02:24

Ribosome Profiling

Ribosome profiling or ribo-sequencing is a deep sequencing technique that produces a snapshot of active translation in a cell. It selectively sequences the mRNAs protected by ribosomes to get an insight into a cell’s translation landscape at any given point in time.
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique...
4.3K
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase01:11

Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase

Genetic polymorphisms in drug targets have emerged as critical determinants of interindividual variability in drug response and toxicity. Pharmacogenomic investigations increasingly focus on identifying these variations to personalize and optimize therapeutic interventions. A drug target may be a receptor, enzyme, or signaling protein involved in pharmacologic responses or disease-related pathways. While early pharmacogenetic studies focused primarily on drug metabolism, current research...
67
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
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
9.1K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

1.7K