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miR-101-3p induces autophagy in endometrial carcinoma cells by targeting EZH2

Cuilan Wang1, Bo Liu2

  • 1Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Jinan Maternity and Child Care Hospital, No. 2 Xiaojingsan Road, Jinan, 250001, Shandong, China. bseuguo@163.com.

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
|April 26, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

MicroRNA-101-3p promotes autophagy in endometrial carcinoma (EC) cells by downregulating EZH2. This finding reveals a new therapeutic target for EC treatment by modulating miR-101-3p and EZH2.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is a common gynecological malignancy.
  • Autophagy plays a complex role in cancer development and progression.
  • The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating cellular processes in EC is an active area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of miR-101-3p in regulating autophagy in endometrial carcinoma (EC) cells.
  • To explore the relationship between miR-101-3p and EZH2 in EC.

Main Methods:

  • Microarray analysis for miRNA expression.
  • Western blot for autophagy-related proteins.
  • qRT-PCR for beclin-1 mRNA expression.
  • GFP-LC3 fusion protein assay and fluorescence microscopy for autophagy observation.
  • Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for autophagic vacuoles.
  • Luciferase reporter assay to confirm miR-101-3p and EZH2 interaction.

Main Results:

  • miR-101-3p expression was decreased in EC tissues compared to normal tissues.
  • miR-101-3p overexpression upregulated autophagy-related proteins LC3-II and beclin-1 in EC cells.
  • Both miR-101-3p overexpression and EZH2 silencing promoted autophagy in EC cells.
  • Luciferase assays confirmed that miR-101-3p directly targets and inhibits EZH2 by binding to its 3'-UTR.

Conclusions:

  • miR-101-3p promotes autophagy in EC cells through the downregulation of EZH2.
  • Suppression of EZH2 expression by miR-101-3p is a key mechanism for inducing autophagy in EC.
  • Modulating miR-101-3p levels could be a potential therapeutic strategy for endometrial carcinoma.
Keywords:
AutophagyEZH2Endometrial carcinomaMicroscopymiR-101-3p

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