Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 4, 2025

An In Vitro Protocol for Evaluating MicroRNA Levels, Functions, and Associated Target Genes in Tumor Cells
09:45

An In Vitro Protocol for Evaluating MicroRNA Levels, Functions, and Associated Target Genes in Tumor Cells

Published on: May 21, 2019

8.5K

Metformin up-regulated miR-107 expression and enhanced the inhibitory effect of miR-107 on gastric cancer growth

Yongyi Chen1,2,3, Wangang Gong1,2,3, Yun Zhou1,2,3

  • 1Institute of Cancer Research and Basic Medical Sciences of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, China.

Translational Cancer Research
|February 4, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Metformin enhances anti-cancer effects in gastric cancer (GC) by up-regulating miR-107. This microRNA (miRNA) targets MAPK8, offering a new therapeutic strategy for GC treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death globally.
  • Metformin shows anti-cancer properties by regulating microRNAs (miRNAs).
  • The specific miRNAs influenced by metformin in GC remain largely unidentified.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify microRNAs regulated by metformin in gastric cancer cells.
  • To investigate the role of miR-107 in metformin's anti-cancer effects on GC.
  • To explore the molecular mechanisms linking metformin, miR-107, and GC progression.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro cell culture using SGC-7901 and MGC803 gastric cancer cell lines.
  • Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to quantify miR-107 expression.
  • Bioinformatics analysis to identify potential molecular targets of metformin and miR-107.

Main Results:

  • Metformin treatment significantly up-regulated miR-107 expression in GC cells.
  • Increased miR-107 expression further inhibited cell proliferation in metformin-treated GC cells.
  • Mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8) was identified as a common target of metformin and miR-107, with its expression linked to GC patient survival and immune cell infiltration.

Conclusions:

  • miR-107 plays a crucial role in mediating the anti-cancer effects of metformin in gastric cancer.
  • The miR-107/MAPK8 pathway represents a novel therapeutic target for gastric cancer.
  • This study provides a new strategy for enhancing metformin-based treatments for GC.
Keywords:
Gastric cancer (GC)bioinformatics analysismetforminmiR-107proliferationsurvival outcomes

More Related Videos

Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies07:29

Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies

Published on: June 20, 2015

19.8K
Using Mouse Mammary Tumor Cells to Teach Core Biology Concepts: A Simple Lab Module10:39

Using Mouse Mammary Tumor Cells to Teach Core Biology Concepts: A Simple Lab Module

Published on: June 18, 2015

13.3K

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...
22.1K
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones01:26

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones

Biguanides, particularly metformin (Glucophage), are insulin sensitizers that enhance glucose uptake, thereby reducing insulin resistance. Unlike sulfonylureas, metformin doesn't prompt insulin secretion, which helps to curb hypoglycemia risk. Metformin is beneficial in treating conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome due to its insulin-resistance reduction capability. The drug's primary action involves curtailing hepatic gluconeogenesis, a significant contributor to high blood...
328
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
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
7.0K
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