Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells
16:24

Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells

Published on: February 21, 2014

20.7K

MicroRNA-31 Function as a Suppressor Was Regulated by Epigenetic Mechanisms in Gastric Cancer

Jun Wei1, Zijian Wang1, Zhixiang Wang1

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Yancheng Affiliated Hospital of Southeast University, Yancheng 224000, China.

Biomed Research International
|January 16, 2018
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNA-31 (miR-31) is downregulated in gastric cancer due to DNA methylation. Restoring miR-31 suppresses tumor growth by targeting HDAC2, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality globally.
  • Aberrant microRNA-31 (miR-31) expression is observed in gastric cancer, but its regulatory mechanisms remain unclear.
  • Understanding miR-31 regulation is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of miR-31 in gastric cancer.
  • To determine the functional role of miR-31 in gastric cancer progression.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets for gastric cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting to assess gene and protein expression.
  • Luciferase reporter assays to confirm direct targeting of HDAC2 by miR-31.
  • Analysis of DNA methylation status in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines.

Main Results:

  • miR-31 expression was significantly decreased in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines.
  • Ectopic miR-31 expression inhibited gastric cancer cell proliferation and induced apoptosis.
  • Downregulation of miR-31 was linked to promoter DNA methylation, indicating epigenetic regulation.
  • HDAC2 was identified as a direct target of miR-31, with its expression inversely correlated with miR-31 levels.

Conclusions:

  • miR-31 acts as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer, with its expression epigenetically regulated by DNA methylation.
  • An epigenetic pathway involving DNA methylation, miR-31, and HDAC2 contributes to gastric cancer progression.
  • miR-31 holds potential as a biomarker for molecular diagnosis and a therapeutic target for gastric cancer.

More Related Videos

Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome07:23

Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome

Published on: June 15, 2016

9.0K
MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism09:05

MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism

Published on: February 6, 2017

8.0K

Related Concept Videos

Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
33.9K
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
3.9K
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...
24.3K
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
6.1K
Mechanical Protein Functions01:58

Mechanical Protein Functions

Proteins perform many mechanical functions in a cell. These proteins can be classified into two general categories- proteins that generate mechanical forces and proteins that are subjected to mechanical forces. Proteins providing mechanical support to the structure of the cell, such as keratin, are subjected to mechanical force, whereas proteins involved in cell movement and transport of molecules across cell membranes, such as an ion pump, are examples of generating mechanical force. 
5.7K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
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...
9.9K