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microRNA-141 inhibits thyroid cancer cell growth and metastasis by targeting insulin receptor substrate 2

Su Dong1, Xianying Meng2, Shuai Xue2

  • 1Department of Anesthesia, The First Hospital of Jilin University 71# Xinmin Street, Chaoyang District, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P. R. China.

American Journal of Translational Research
|May 18, 2016
PubMed

Insights

microRNA-141 (miR-141) is downregulated in thyroid cancer, inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis by targeting the oncogene insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2). This suggests miR-141 as a potential therapeutic strategy for thyroid cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • microRNA-141 (miR-141), part of the miR-200 family, is implicated in various cancers.
  • The specific role and mechanism of miR-141 in thyroid cancer pathogenesis are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression, function, and molecular mechanism of miR-141 in thyroid cancer.
  • To determine if miR-141 can be a therapeutic target for thyroid cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of miR-141 expression in thyroid cancer tissues versus normal tissues.
  • In vitro functional assays (proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion) in thyroid cancer cells.
  • In vivo tumor growth assays in nude mice.
  • Identification and validation of miR-141 targets using molecular biology techniques.

Main Results:

  • miR-141 expression is significantly downregulated in thyroid cancer and correlates with advanced clinical stage and lymph node metastasis.
  • Overexpression of miR-141 suppresses thyroid cancer cell proliferation, induces apoptosis, and reduces migration and invasion.
  • Insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) is identified as a direct target of miR-141, with its expression inversely correlated with miR-141 levels in tumors.
  • Restoration of IRS2 expression abrogates the inhibitory effects of miR-141.

Conclusions:

  • miR-141 acts as a tumor suppressor in thyroid cancer.
  • miR-141 inhibits thyroid cancer cell growth and metastasis by downregulating IRS2.
  • miR-141 represents a potential novel therapeutic agent for thyroid cancer treatment.
Keywords:
IRS2Thyroid cancerinvasionproliferation

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