Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026
Ultrasound-Guided Orthotopic Implantation of Murine Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Published on: November 19, 2019
MiR-7-5p functions as a tumor suppressor by targeting SOX18 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Weihua Zhu1, Yazhou Wang2, Dafang Zhang1
1Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China.
Abstract:
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal malignancies. Recently, many kinds of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to play a significant role in development of PDAC. However, there is no investigation about expression and function of miR-7-5p in PDAC. In this study, we found that miR-7-5p was down-regulated in PDAC tissues and its low expression level indicated a poor survival rate for PDAC patients. By bioinformatic analysis, we found that miR-7-5p targeted SOX18, and there was a negative correlation between them in PDAC tissues. Then luciferase reporter and western blot assays were used to verify the binding of miR-7-5p on SOX18 3'UTR. Cell function assays demonstrated that miR-7-5p inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of PANC-1 cells by targeting SOX18. The nude mouse tumorigenicity assay further proved that miR-7-5p targeted SOX18 to inhibit pancreatic cancer growth in vivo. In order to further understand the mechanism, we applied a transcription factor prediction tool to explore the underlying targets that transcripted by SOX18, and the result indicated that SOX18 was a transcription factor for gp130 (a subunit of IL-6 receptor), and ChIP assays was performed to prove this prediction. Furthermore, we detected the suppression of gp130/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway after silencing SOX18 in PANC-1 cells, which demonstrated the transcriptional activation role of SOX18 on gp130. Thus, our present study revealed that miR-7-5p targeted SOX18 to inhibit gp130/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway to exert its suppressing role in PDAC.
Insights
MicroRNA-7-5p (miR-7-5p) suppresses pancreatic cancer growth by targeting SOX18 and inhibiting the gp130/JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Low miR-7-5p expression correlates with poor survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy with limited treatment options.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their roles in cancer development, but miR-7-5p's function in PDAC remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and functional role of miR-7-5p in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanism by which miR-7-5p regulates PDAC progression.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis to identify miR-7-5p targets.
- Luciferase reporter assays and Western blots to confirm miR-7-5p binding to SOX18.
- In vitro cell function assays (proliferation, migration, invasion) and in vivo nude mouse tumorigenicity assays.
- Transcription factor prediction, Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, and signaling pathway analysis (gp130/JAK2/STAT3).
Main Results:
- miR-7-5p was significantly down-regulated in PDAC tissues, with low expression linked to poorer patient survival.
- miR-7-5p directly targets SOX18, inhibiting PDAC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumor growth in vivo.
- SOX18 acts as a transcription factor for gp130, activating the gp130/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.
- miR-7-5p suppresses PDAC by inhibiting the SOX18-mediated activation of the gp130/JAK2/STAT3 pathway.
Conclusions:
- miR-7-5p functions as a tumor suppressor in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
- Targeting the miR-7-5p/SOX18/gp130 axis offers a potential therapeutic strategy for PDAC.
More Related Videos
07:08Author Spotlight: Reprogramming Cancer Cells to iPSCs to Study Disease Progression and Treatment Targets
Published on: February 2, 2024
08:30Immunophenotyping of Orthotopic Homograft Syngeneic of Murine Primary KPC Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma by Flow Cytometry
Published on: October 9, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:12Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
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...
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...
01:26Pancreatic Juice and Secretion
When acidic chyme from the stomach enters the duodenum, it triggers the release of secretin, a hormone that prompts pancreatic juice secretion. After a fatty meal, cholecystokinin, another hormone, stimulates gallbladder contraction and enhances enzyme-rich...
01:27Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by rapid inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by factors like gallstone blockage or excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a slow, progressive inflammation that may result from long-term alcohol abuse, obstructions in the pancreatic duct, or genetic factors.
The causes of acute pancreatitis include:
01:24Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
02:45Functional Groups