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Published on: May 21, 2019
Identification of Oncogene-Induced Senescence-Associated MicroRNAs
Spyros Foutadakis1,2, Konstantinos Soureas3,4, Eugenia Roupakia5,6
1Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Abstract:
Cellular senescence, a state of permanent cell cycle arrest, recapitulates the aging process at the cellular level. It can be triggered by intrinsic or extrinsic factors including telomere shortening (replicative senescence) and in response to various types of stresses such as oncogenic stress (oncogene-induced senescence, OIS). Senescence has been detected in vitro and in premalignant lesions in mice and humans expressing mutant oncogenes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level, and have been involved in both replicative senescence and OIS. Several methods have been used to identify miRNAs and compare their expression in normal versus oncogene-induced senescent cells, as well as to analyze their role and their targets in senescence. Here, we describe several methods that can be employed to identify miRNAs in cells undergoing OIS, including miRNA-sequencing, RT-qPCR-based detection and quantification of miRNAs and Nanostring miRNA analysis (nCounter miRNA Expression Assay). Moreover, we perform a meta-analysis of studies employing the above methodologies, pinpoint miRNAs with consistent expression changes across senescence models, and predict their target genes and the pathways in which they partake.
Insights
This study identifies microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in oncogene-induced senescence (OIS), a cellular aging process. Researchers analyzed miRNA expression changes and predicted their gene targets and pathways, offering insights into senescence regulation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cellular senescence is a state of irreversible cell cycle arrest mimicking aging, triggered by factors like telomere shortening or oncogenic stress.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression and play roles in both replicative and oncogene-induced senescence (OIS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe methods for identifying miRNAs in OIS, including miRNA-sequencing, RT-qPCR, and Nanostring analysis.
- To perform a meta-analysis of existing studies to identify consistently altered miRNAs in senescence models.
- To predict the target genes and biological pathways affected by these miRNAs.
Main Methods:
- miRNA-sequencing
- RT-qPCR-based detection and quantification
- Nanostring miRNA analysis (nCounter miRNA Expression Assay)
- Meta-analysis of published data
Main Results:
- Consistent miRNA expression changes were identified across different senescence models.
- Prediction of target genes regulated by these differentially expressed miRNAs.
- Identification of biological pathways influenced by miRNAs in OIS.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a comprehensive overview of methods for miRNA analysis in OIS.
- Identified miRNAs and their predicted targets offer insights into the molecular mechanisms of senescence.
- This research contributes to understanding cellular aging and potential therapeutic targets.
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