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Updated: Nov 7, 2025
Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
Published on: March 30, 2019
Silencing lung cancer genes using miRNAs identified by 7mer-seed matching
Supriyo Chakraborty1, Durbba Nath1, Parvin A Barbhuiya1
1Department of Biotechnology, Assam University, Silchar, 788011, Assam, India.
Abstract:
Lung cancer (LC) is the main cause of cancer-associated deaths in both men and women globally with a very high mortality rate. The microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs consisting of 18-25 nucleotides. They inhibit translation of protein through binding to complementary target mRNAs. The non-coding miRNAs are recognized as potent biomarkers for detection, development and treatment of malignancy. In this study, we screened a set of 12 genes over expressed in small cell lung cancer, non small cell lung cancer and the genes involved in both categories and their binding sites for human miRNAs as no work was reported yet. Screening of human miRNAs revealed that a few genes showed numerous miRNA binding sites. Free energy values of mRNA sequences revealed that they might acquire compact folded structure causing complexity for miRNAs to interact. GC content in the target site was relatively higher than that of their flanks. It was observed through analysis of cosine similarity metric and compAI parameters that the genes related to lung cancer were encoded with non optimal codons and thus might be translationally less efficient for producing polypeptides. Gene ontology analysis was carried out to understand the diverse functions of these 12 genes.
Insights
This study screened microRNAs (miRNAs) and their binding sites in lung cancer genes. Findings suggest complex mRNA structures and non-optimal codons may affect gene expression in lung cancer.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Lung cancer (LC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression and potential cancer biomarkers.
- Limited research exists on miRNA interactions with genes implicated in lung cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen human miRNAs and identify their binding sites on 12 overexpressed genes in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- To analyze the structural and translational efficiency of these lung cancer-associated genes concerning miRNA binding.
Main Methods:
- Screening of human miRNAs and their binding sites on 12 selected lung cancer genes.
- Analysis of mRNA free energy, GC content, cosine similarity, and compAI parameters.
- Gene ontology analysis to understand the functions of the studied genes.
Main Results:
- Several genes exhibited numerous miRNA binding sites.
- mRNA sequences may form compact structures, potentially hindering miRNA interaction.
- Higher GC content was observed at target sites compared to flanking regions.
- Lung cancer genes were found to be encoded with non-optimal codons, suggesting reduced translational efficiency.
Conclusions:
- The study identified potential miRNA interactions with lung cancer genes.
- mRNA structural complexity and codon usage may influence gene expression regulation in lung cancer.
- Further research is warranted to explore the functional implications of these findings in lung cancer development and treatment.
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