Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 22, 2026
Induction of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transitions in Sarcoma Cells
Published on: April 7, 2017
MicroRNA-138 functions as a tumor suppressor in osteosarcoma by targeting differentiated embryonic chondrocyte gene 2
Baoen Jiang1, Weidong Mu2, Jiangquan Wang3
1Department of Traumatic Orthopaedics, The People 's Hospital of Dongying City of Shandong Province, No 317 Nanyi Road, Dongying, 257091, Shandong, China. baoen_jiang@163.com.
Background:
MicroRNA-138 (miR-138) has been proven to be a tumor suppressor gene in various types of tumors. However, the expression and the role of miR-138 in human osteosarcoma are still poorly understood. We investigated the function and the underlying mechanism of miR-138 in osteosarcoma.
Methods:
The expression of miR-138 in human osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines was detected by real-time PCR analysis. The gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments were performed on osteosarcoma cell lines to investigate the effects of miR-138 on osteosarcoma progression, and to determine whether differentiated embryonic chondrocyte gene 2 (DEC2) mediates these effects. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion were assessed by MTT, flow cytometry and transwell-matrigel assays. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to identify whether DEC2 is a direct target of miR-138.
Results:
MiR-138 was significantly downregulated in human osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines. Moreover, miR-138 expression was significantly lower in metastatic osteosarcoma tissues than that in non-metastatic tissues. The in vitro gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments demonstrated that miR-138 inhibited cell proliferation and invasion, and promoted cell apoptosis of human osteosarcoma cells. DEC2 was verified as a direct target of miR-138, and DEC2 could reverse the inhibitory effect of miR-138 on osteosarcoma progression.
Conclusions:
These findings suggested that miR-138 acts as a tumor suppressor in osteosarcoma.miR-138 inhibited cell proliferation and invasion, as well as promoted cell apoptosis of human osteosarcoma cells, at least partially, by inhibiting the expression of DEC2. MiR-138/DEC2 may be a novel therapeutic target in osteosarcoma.
Insights
MicroRNA-138 (miR-138) is downregulated in osteosarcoma, acting as a tumor suppressor. It inhibits cancer progression by targeting DEC2, suggesting a new therapeutic strategy for osteosarcoma.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- MicroRNA-138 (miR-138) is recognized as a tumor suppressor in various cancers.
- The specific role and expression of miR-138 in human osteosarcoma remain largely uncharacterized.
- This study aimed to elucidate the function and regulatory mechanisms of miR-138 in osteosarcoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of miR-138 in human osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines.
- To determine the functional role of miR-138 in osteosarcoma cell progression, including proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion.
- To identify the molecular mechanism underlying miR-138's function, specifically its interaction with differentiated embryonic chondrocyte gene 2 (DEC2).
Main Methods:
- Real-time PCR was used to quantify miR-138 expression in osteosarcoma samples and cell lines.
- Gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments were conducted to assess miR-138's impact on cell behavior.
- Cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion assays (MTT, flow cytometry, transwell-matrigel) were employed.
- Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed DEC2 as a direct target of miR-138.
Main Results:
- MiR-138 expression was significantly reduced in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines compared to normal controls.
- Lower miR-138 levels correlated with metastatic status in osteosarcoma.
- Overexpression of miR-138 suppressed proliferation and invasion while promoting apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells.
- DEC2 was identified as a direct target, and its inhibition by miR-138 was crucial for the observed anti-tumor effects.
Conclusions:
- MiR-138 functions as a tumor suppressor in human osteosarcoma.
- MiR-138 inhibits osteosarcoma cell proliferation and invasion and promotes apoptosis, partly through the downregulation of DEC2.
- The miR-138/DEC2 axis represents a potential novel therapeutic target for osteosarcoma treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:22MicroRNAs
01:22MicroRNAs
01:22MicroRNAs
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...