Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 17, 2026

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library
08:40

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

Published on: April 6, 2012

18.1K

MicroRNA-203 Inversely Correlates with Differentiation Grade, Targets c-MYC, and Functions as a Tumor Suppressor in

Warangkana Lohcharoenkal1, Masako Harada2, Jakob Lovén3

  • 1Unit of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|July 26, 2016
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNA-203 (miR-203) acts as a tumor suppressor in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Low miR-203 expression correlates with poor differentiation and can be targeted for therapeutic benefit in cSCC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is a significant cause of mortality in organ transplant recipients.
  • MicroRNAs (miRs) are key regulators of gene expression and cellular processes.
  • The role of miR-203 in cSCC pathogenesis remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of miR-203 in cSCC.
  • To determine the correlation between miR-203 expression and cSCC differentiation.
  • To identify molecular targets and pathways regulated by miR-203 in cSCC.

Main Methods:

  • Correlation analysis of miR-203 expression and cSCC differentiation grade.
  • In vitro assays assessing cell proliferation, motility, and angiogenesis.
  • In vivo xenograft studies to evaluate tumor growth and angiogenesis.
  • Transcriptomic and transcription factor enrichment analyses.
  • Luciferase reporter assays to validate miR-203 target interactions.

Main Results:

  • A negative correlation was observed between miR-203 expression and cSCC differentiation grade.
  • miR-203 suppressed cSCC cell proliferation, motility, and angiogenesis in vitro and tumor growth in vivo.
  • Transcriptomic analysis revealed miR-203 regulates cell cycle and proliferation networks.
  • c-MYC was identified as a direct target of miR-203 and a key mediator of its tumor-suppressive effects.

Conclusions:

  • miR-203 functions as a tumor suppressor in cSCC.
  • Reduced miR-203 expression is associated with poorly differentiated cSCC.
  • miR-203 targeting of c-MYC is crucial for its anti-tumor activity.
  • Restoring miR-203 expression holds therapeutic potential for cSCC, especially poorly differentiated types.

More Related Videos

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice07:02

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice

Published on: August 23, 2019

7.8K
Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis11:44

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis

Published on: March 30, 2019

8.1K

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...
24.5K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.4K
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...
6.0K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
5.0K
Master Transcription Regulators02:23

Master Transcription Regulators

Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a  complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
8.0K