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MicroRNA-301a-3p promotes triple-negative breast cancer progression through downregulating MEOX2

Heng Liu1, Gangyue Wang1

  • 1Department of Breast Surgery, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100006, P.R. China.

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
|July 26, 2021
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNA-301a-3p (miR-301a-3p) acts as an oncogene in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Upregulated miR-301a-3p promotes TNBC cell viability, migration, and invasion by downregulating MEOX2.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive malignancy with limited therapeutic options.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in cancer development, but their specific role in TNBC is unclear.
  • Understanding TNBC molecular mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of miR-301a-3p in triple-negative breast cancer.
  • To determine the molecular mechanisms by which miR-301a-3p influences TNBC progression.
  • To evaluate miR-301a-3p as a potential therapeutic target in TNBC.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data for miR-301a-3p expression in breast cancer.
  • Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) to compare miR-301a-3p levels in TNBC vs. non-TNBC tissues and cell lines.
  • In vitro experiments using miR-301a-3p mimics and inhibitors in MDA-MB-231 cells to assess effects on cell viability, migration, invasion, and apoptosis.
  • Western blot analysis to evaluate the impact of miR-301a-3p on MEOX2 expression.
  • Correlation analysis between miR-301a-3p and MEOX2 expression in clinical TNBC samples.

Main Results:

  • miR-301a-3p expression is upregulated in breast cancer tissues (TCGA) and significantly higher in TNBC tissues and MDA-MB-231 cells compared to controls.
  • Overexpression of miR-301a-3p enhances MDA-MB-231 cell viability, migration, and invasion, while knockdown inhibits these processes.
  • miR-301a-3p negatively regulates cell apoptosis.
  • miR-301a-3p directly downregulates the expression of mesenchyme homeobox 2 (MEOX2).
  • MEOX2 knockdown promotes MDA-MB-231 cell viability, suggesting a role in oncogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • miR-301a-3p functions as an oncogenic miRNA in triple-negative breast cancer.
  • The oncogenic role of miR-301a-3p in TNBC is mediated, at least in part, by the downregulation of MEOX2.
  • miR-301a-3p represents a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for TNBC.
Keywords:
mesenchyme homeobox 2microRNA-301a-3pmigrationproliferationtriple-negative breast cancer

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