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miR-152-3p Modulates hepatic carcinogenesis by targeting cyclin-dependent kinase 8

Tao Yin1, Ming-Ming Liu2, Ruo-Tian Jin2

  • 1Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China; Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, Chifeng 024005, China.

Pathology, Research and Practice
|April 11, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

MicroRNA-152-3p (miR-152-3p) targets Cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) to inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth. This study reveals miR-152-3p as a potential therapeutic agent for HCC, targeting CDK8 to reduce cancer progression.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Gene Regulation

Background:

  • Cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) is a transcriptional regulator implicated in various cancers.
  • Its role in hepatic carcinogenesis warrants further investigation.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression and cancer development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of miR-152-3p in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  • To explore the post-transcriptional regulation of CDK8 by miR-152-3p in HCC.
  • To determine the therapeutic potential of miR-152-3p in HCC treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 89 pairs of HCC and adjacent non-tumor tissues.
  • Cell viability (CCK8) and apoptosis (Annexin V/PI staining) assays.
  • Bioinformatics, luciferase reporter assays, RT-qPCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry to validate target and expression levels.

Main Results:

  • CDK8 was upregulated, while miR-152-3p was downregulated in HCC tissues.
  • A significant negative correlation was observed between miR-152-3p and CDK8 expression.
  • miR-152-3p directly targets CDK8, inhibiting HCC proliferation and promoting apoptosis; both are independent prognostic factors for HCC patients.

Conclusions:

  • miR-152-3p exhibits antineoplastic activity in HCC by targeting CDK8.
  • miR-152-3p acts as a tumor suppressor in hepatic carcinogenesis.
  • miR-152-3p represents a potential therapeutic target for HCC treatment.
Keywords:
ApoptosisCyclin-dependent kinase 8Hepatocellular carcinomaProliferationmiR-152-3p

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