Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 4, 2025

Characterization of Functionally Associated miRNAs in Glioblastoma and their Engineering into Artificial Clusters for Gene Therapy
09:40

Characterization of Functionally Associated miRNAs in Glioblastoma and their Engineering into Artificial Clusters for Gene Therapy

Published on: October 4, 2019

5.8K

MicroRNA-221 promotes tumor progression by targeting HHIP in human glioblastoma

Liang Chang1, Lisheng Yin1, Dongzhi Zhang1

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China.

Translational Cancer Research
|February 4, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

MicroRNA-221 (miR-221) is upregulated in glioblastoma (GBM), promoting tumor growth and spread. Inhibiting miR-221 and its target, HHIP, suppressed GBM progression, offering a potential therapeutic strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in various cancers, with aberrant expression observed in glioblastoma (GBM).
  • MicroRNA-221 (miR-221) is recognized as an oncogene in several cancers, but its specific role in GBM remains largely unelucidated.
  • This study investigates the expression and functional significance of miR-221 in GBM.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the expression level of miR-221 in glioblastoma.
  • To evaluate the functional role of miR-221 in GBM cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.
  • To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, including identifying miR-221 targets in GBM.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting were employed to assess miR-221 and human hedgehog-interacting protein (HHIP) expression.
  • Cellular assays including MTT, colony formation, wound healing, and Transwell invasion assays were performed on miR-221-inhibited GBM models.
  • In vivo studies utilized a subcutaneous xenograft model to evaluate tumor growth. Bioinformatics, dual-luciferase reporter assays, and Western blotting confirmed the interaction between miR-221 and HHIP.

Main Results:

  • Real-time PCR confirmed elevated miR-221 expression in GBM tissues and cell lines (A172, U251, T98G).
  • Downregulation of miR-221 significantly inhibited GBM cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, and suppressed tumor growth in vivo.
  • Human hedgehog-interacting protein (HHIP) was identified and validated as a direct target of miR-221. Silencing HHIP expression abrogated the inhibitory effects of miR-221 knockdown on GBM progression.

Conclusions:

  • MicroRNA-221 is upregulated in glioblastoma and acts as an oncogene by promoting tumor progression.
  • The oncogenic function of miR-221 in GBM is mediated through the suppression of its target, HHIP.
  • Targeting the miR-221/HHIP axis presents a promising therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma treatment.
Keywords:
MicroRNA-221 (miR-221)glioblastoma (GBM)human hedgehog-interacting protein (HHIP)invasionmigrationproliferation

More Related Videos

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library08:40

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library

Published on: April 6, 2012

17.7K
In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice07:02

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice

Published on: August 23, 2019

7.5K

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.2K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.9K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.7K
Experimental RNAi02:15

Experimental RNAi

RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
6.3K
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs02:39

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA...
9.0K
The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
4.2K