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miR-203 Suppresses Bladder Cancer Cell Growth and Targets Twist1
Jie Shen1, Jianhua Zhang2, Minhui Xiao1
1Department of Urology, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan, P.R. China.
Abstract:
miR-203 is an epigenetically silenced tumor-suppressive microRNA in tumors. This study was designed to investigate the effects of miR-203 on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of bladder cancer (BCa) cells. The expression levels of miR-203 in BCa tissues, normal adjacent tissues, and BCa cell lines were detected. BCa cells were transfected with miR-203 mimic and inhibitor to investigate the effect of miR-203 on cell functions and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Cotransfection with miR-203 inhibitor and shRNA of the predicted target gene Twist1 (si-Twist1) was performed to investigate the target relationship of miR-203 and Twist1. The effects of knockdown of Twist1 on cell functions were also investigated. The expression of miR-203 was significantly reduced in BCa tissues and cells, in comparison with the control. miR-203 mimic significantly reduced cell viability, invasion, migration, and EMT, and enhanced cell apoptosis. On the contrary, miR-203 inhibitor showed the opposite results. However, the administration of si-Twist1 cancelled the effect of miR-203 inhibitor on cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration. These demonstrated that miR-203 may function as a tumor-suppressive microRNA in BCa by negatively targeting Twist1. Both Twist1 and miR-203 might be explored as potential targets for studying the mechanism related to BCa pathogenesis and therapy.
Insights
MicroRNA-203 (miR-203) acts as a tumor suppressor in bladder cancer (BCa). Its reduced expression promotes cancer progression, but restoring miR-203 levels inhibits BCa cell growth and metastasis by targeting Twist1.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression.
- Epigenetic silencing of tumor-suppressive miRNAs is common in cancer.
- miR-203 is recognized as a tumor-suppressive miRNA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of miR-203 in bladder cancer (BCa).
- To determine the effects of miR-203 on BCa cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying miR-203's function in BCa.
Main Methods:
- Detected miR-203 expression in BCa tissues and cell lines.
- Utilized miR-203 mimic and inhibitor transfections to modulate miR-203 levels.
- Performed co-transfection with miR-203 inhibitor and Twist1 shRNA (si-Twist1).
- Assessed cell viability, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
Main Results:
- miR-203 expression was significantly downregulated in BCa tissues and cells.
- miR-203 mimic suppressed BCa cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT, while enhancing apoptosis.
- miR-203 inhibitor promoted these aggressive phenotypes.
- si-Twist1 transfection reversed the effects of the miR-203 inhibitor.
Conclusions:
- miR-203 functions as a tumor suppressor in bladder cancer.
- miR-203 inhibits BCa progression by negatively targeting Twist1.
- miR-203 and Twist1 represent potential therapeutic targets for BCa.
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