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Updated: Jul 2, 2025

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library
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MicroRNA-203a inhibits breast cancer progression through the PI3K/Akt and Wnt pathways

Maryam Entezari1, Bahram M Soltani1, Majid Sadeghizadeh2

  • 1Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, 14115-111, Iran.

Scientific Reports
|February 27, 2024
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNA miR-203a-3p acts as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer (BC) by inhibiting key signaling pathways. This finding suggests miR-203a-3p is a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for BC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • MicroRNA (miRNA) expression is crucial in breast cancer (BC) for biomarker and therapeutic development.
  • miR-203a-3p's role in BC and its contribution to chemotherapy response are recognized, but its regulatory mechanisms remain unclear.
  • Understanding miR-203a's regulatory pathways is essential for advancing BC treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of miR-203a in breast cancer progression.
  • To investigate the functional roles of miR-203a in BC.
  • To explore the relationship between miR-203a and critical signaling pathways in BC.

Main Methods:

  • Bioinformatic prediction of miR-203a target genes and associated pathways.
  • Mechanistic investigation of miR-203a interactions with phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K)-Akt and Wnt signaling pathways.
  • Assessment of miR-203a's effects on cell cycle, viability, proliferation, migration, and apoptosis in BC cells.

Main Results:

  • miR-203a was found to inhibit the activation of PI3K/Akt and Wnt signaling pathways.
  • miR-203a suppressed downstream cell cycle regulators, including Cyclin D1 and c-Myc.
  • Overexpression of miR-203a led to cell cycle arrest (subG1 and G1 phases), reduced viability, proliferation, and migration, and increased apoptosis in BC cells.

Conclusions:

  • miR-203a-3p functions as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer.
  • miR-203a-3p demonstrates potential as a diagnostic biomarker for BC.
  • miR-203a-3p represents a promising therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.

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