Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 23, 2026
Clinicopathological Analysis of miRNA Expression in Breast Cancer Tissues by Using miRNA In Situ Hybridization
Published on: June 7, 2016
Construction of an initial microRNA regulation network in breast invasive carcinoma by bioinformatics analysis
Yongjia Yin1, Cheng Shen1, Pan Xie1
1The School of Pharmaceutical Science in Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China.
Introduction:
microRNAs (miRNA) are involved in many biological processes. They repress target gene expression and play a vital role in breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA). Although many miRNAs are identified to be aberrantly expressed in BRCA and deemed as tumor markers, only sporadic individual studies report their target genes and the pathways involved.
Methods:
miRNA and mRNA expression data were collected from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) pilot project. Aberrantly expressed miRNAs and mRNAs in BRCA were identified by comparing tumor samples with normal adjacent tissues. Differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs in different breast cancer subtypes were also analyzed. miRNA/target correlations were predicted by calculating the spearman correlation coefficients between miRNA and mRNA, and validated by luciferase assay.
Results:
31 up-regulated miRNAs, 37 down-regulated miRNAs, 1105 up-regulated mRNAs and 1222 down-regulated mRNAs were identified in BRCA; 125 miRNA/target correlations were predicted, 6 of them were validated. In addition, we also found 9 miRNAs and 143 mRNAs differently expressed between estrogen receptor positive and negative breast cancers, and 4 miRNAs and 46 mRNAs differently expressed between progesterone receptor positive and negative breast cancers. Twelve miRNA/target correlations determined the breast cancer subtypes.
Conclusion:
We developed a new systematic analytic method for analyzing TCGA database, which took into account both miRNA and mRNA data to dissect the miRNA regulation network in BRCA.
Insights
This study identifies key microRNAs (miRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) dysregulated in breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA). A novel analytical method using TCGA data reveals miRNA-mRNA interactions crucial for BRCA development and subtypes.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and are implicated in breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA).
- Aberrant miRNA expression is observed in BRCA, but their specific targets and pathways remain underexplored.
- Understanding miRNA roles is critical for identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in BRCA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically analyze miRNA and mRNA expression data in BRCA.
- To identify dysregulated miRNAs and their target genes in breast cancer.
- To elucidate the miRNA regulatory network and its role in BRCA subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized miRNA and mRNA expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).
- Compared tumor and adjacent normal tissues to identify differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs.
- Predicted and validated miRNA/target gene correlations using Spearman correlation and luciferase assays.
Main Results:
- Identified 31 up-regulated and 37 down-regulated miRNAs, along with 1105 up-regulated and 1222 down-regulated mRNAs in BRCA.
- Predicted 125 miRNA/target correlations, with 6 successfully validated.
- Discovered differential expression of miRNAs and mRNAs related to estrogen and progesterone receptor status, and identified 12 miRNA/target correlations defining breast cancer subtypes.
Conclusions:
- Developed a novel systematic method for analyzing TCGA data, integrating miRNA and mRNA information.
- The study provides a comprehensive dissection of the miRNA regulatory network in BRCA.
- Findings offer insights into miRNA-driven mechanisms underlying breast cancer progression and subtypes.
Related Concept Videos
01:22MicroRNAs
01:22MicroRNAs