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MicroRNA-503 serves an oncogenic role in retinoblastoma progression by directly targeting PTPN12
1Department of Ophthalmology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Numerous studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are abnormally expressed in retinoblastoma (RB). miRNAs may serve a role in oncogene or tumor-suppressor activity in RB genesis and development by modulating various biological processes. miRNAs therefore, may be effective therapeutic targets for miRNA-based therapy in patients with RB. Recently it has been revealed that miR-503 may serve a role in various types of human cancer. However, the expression and functional roles of miR-503 are rarely reported in RB. In the current study, the expression of miR-503 was significantly upregulated in RB tissues and cell lines. In addition, Cell Counting Kit-8 and in vitro invasion assays were performed to assess cell proliferation and invasion, respectively. The results of the present study revealed that miR-503 inhibition impeded RB in vitro cell proliferation and invasion. Furthermore, protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 12 (PTPN12) was demonstrated to be a direct target gene of miR-503 in RB cells. PTPN12 overexpression also led to the downregulation of miR-503 in RB cell proliferation and invasion. PTPN12 knockdown could therefore abrogate the effects of miR-503 downregulation in RB cells. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that miR-503 may serve a role in RB oncogenic activity progression by directly targeting PTPN12. Therefore, miR-503 may be a target for effective therapy in patients with RB.
Insights
MicroRNA-503 (miR-503) is upregulated in retinoblastoma (RB) and promotes cancer progression by targeting PTPN12. Inhibiting miR-503 may be an effective therapy for RB patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in retinoblastoma (RB) development.
- Dysregulated miRNA expression suggests their role as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in RB.
- miR-503's role in RB is largely unexplored, despite its involvement in other cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and function of miR-503 in retinoblastoma.
- To identify the molecular targets of miR-503 in RB.
- To evaluate miR-503 as a potential therapeutic target for RB.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time PCR to measure miR-503 expression in RB tissues and cell lines.
- Cell Counting Kit-8 and *in vitro* invasion assays to assess cell proliferation and invasion.
- Western blotting and luciferase reporter assays to confirm PTPN12 as a direct target of miR-503.
Main Results:
- miR-503 expression was significantly upregulated in RB tissues and cell lines.
- Inhibition of miR-503 suppressed RB cell proliferation and invasion *in vitro*.
- PTPN12 was identified as a direct target of miR-503, and its knockdown reversed the effects of miR-503 downregulation.
Conclusions:
- miR-503 promotes RB oncogenic progression by directly targeting PTPN12.
- miR-503 represents a potential therapeutic target for retinoblastoma treatment.
- Targeting miR-503 could offer a novel miRNA-based therapy for RB patients.
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