Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Characterization of Functionally Associated miRNAs in Glioblastoma and their Engineering into Artificial Clusters for Gene Therapy
Published on: October 4, 2019
miR-29a-5p Regulates the Proliferation, Invasion, and Migration of Gliomas by Targeting DHRS4
Yong Dai1, Zhenhua Chen1, Wei Zhao1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China.
Abstract:
Gliomas are the most common malignant primary brain tumors in adults and exhibit a spectrum of aberrantly aggressive phenotypes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a regulatory role in various cancers, including gliomas; however, their specific roles and mechanisms have not been fully investigated. Studies have indicated that miR-29a is a tumor-suppressive miRNA, but the data are limited. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-29a-5p in glioma and further explored its underlying mechanisms. On the basis of bioinformatics, dehydrogenase/reductase 4 (DHRS4) was considered a potential target of miR-29a-5p and was also found to be highly expressed in gliomas in our experiments. Moreover, with a luciferase reporter assay, DHRS4 was found to be a target gene of miR-29a-5p and to be correlated with glioma proliferation, invasion, and migration in our in vivo and in vitro experiments. Simultaneously, we observed that the knockdown of DHRS4 rescued the downregulation of glioma proliferation, invasion, and migration caused by treatment with a mir-29a-5p inhibitor. The present findings demonstrate that miR-29a-5p suppresses cell proliferation, invasion, and migration by targeting DHRS4, and DHRS4 may be a potential new oncogene and prognostic factor in gliomas.
Insights
MicroRNA-29a-5p (miR-29a-5p) suppresses glioma growth by targeting dehydrogenase/reductase 4 (DHRS4). DHRS4 may be a new oncogene and prognostic factor in glioma.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Gliomas are aggressive primary brain tumors with complex regulatory mechanisms.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in cancer, but specific roles in gliomas require further elucidation.
- miR-29a has been suggested as a tumor suppressor, yet data remain limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role and mechanism of miR-29a-5p in glioma.
- To identify potential targets of miR-29a-5p in glioma cells.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting the miR-29a-5p/DHRS4 axis.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis to predict miR-29a-5p targets.
- Luciferase reporter assays to validate target interaction.
- In vitro and in vivo experiments to assess glioma cell proliferation, invasion, and migration.
- Gene knockdown studies to confirm functional relationships.
Main Results:
- Dehydrogenase/reductase 4 (DHRS4) was identified as a direct target of miR-29a-5p.
- DHRS4 expression was elevated in gliomas and correlated with tumor aggressiveness.
- miR-29a-5p suppressed glioma cell proliferation, invasion, and migration by targeting DHRS4.
- DHRS4 knockdown reversed the effects of miR-29a-5p inhibition on glioma cells.
Conclusions:
- miR-29a-5p acts as a tumor suppressor in gliomas by targeting DHRS4.
- DHRS4 is a potential oncogene and prognostic biomarker for gliomas.
- The miR-29a-5p/DHRS4 pathway represents a promising therapeutic target for glioma treatment.
