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Investigation the Role of Autophagy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Minoo Pargol1,2, Shima Zare Karizi1,2, Masoumeh Akbari1,2

  • 1Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, School of Biological Science, Varamin Pishva Branch, Islamic Azad University, Varamin, Iran.

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP
|March 28, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

MicroRNAs miR-30d and miR-204-5p are downregulated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), acting as tumor suppressors. Their target genes are upregulated, suggesting a role in NSCLC progression.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Autophagy plays a role in various cancers, including lung cancer.
  • MicroRNAs regulate autophagy-related genes, influencing cancer cell behavior.
  • Epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation are implicated in cancer-related autophagy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of miR-30d, miR-204-5p, and miR-20a in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  • To analyze the expression of their target genes (beclin1, LC3, bcl2, ULK1) in NSCLC.
  • To assess the DNA methylation status of these target genes in NSCLC.

Main Methods:

  • Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to measure the expression levels of specific microRNAs and their target genes in 30 NSCLC patient samples and adjacent normal tissues.
  • Methylation-Specific High-Resolution Melting (MS-HRM) analysis was employed to evaluate the DNA methylation of the promoter regions of beclin1, LC3, bcl2, and ULK1 genes.

Main Results:

  • miR-30d and miR-204-5p were significantly downregulated in NSCLC tissues compared to normal adjacent tissues (p=0.01 and P=0.048, respectively).
  • No significant change in miR-20a expression was observed between tumor and normal tissues.
  • Target genes (beclin1, LC3, bcl2, ULK1) showed significantly increased expression in NSCLC tissues.
  • No significant alterations were found in the methylation patterns of the target gene promoters.

Conclusions:

  • miR-30d and miR-204-5p function as tumor suppressor genes in NSCLC.
  • Upregulated target genes may act as oncogenes in NSCLC.
  • These microRNAs and their targets are potentially significant in NSCLC progression, warranting further investigation for therapeutic strategies.
Keywords:
AutophagyDNA MethylationMicroRNAsnon-small cell lung cancer

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