JoVE - Journal of Visualized Experiments
JoVE Visualize
Contact Us

Modulation of RASD2 by miRNA-485-5p Drives Thyroid Cancer Progression and Metastasis

  • 0Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.
The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences +

|

April 28, 2025

|

April 28, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Ras Homolog Enriched In Striatum (RASD2) is upregulated in thyroid cancer, promoting tumor progression and metastasis. Inhibiting RASD2, regulated by microRNA-485-5p, shows therapeutic potential for thyroid carcinoma.

Area Of Science

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background

  • Thyroid carcinoma is a significant health concern with complex progression mechanisms.
  • Identifying key molecular drivers and regulatory pathways is crucial for effective therapeutic strategies.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate the role of Ras Homolog Enriched In Striatum (RASD2) in thyroid cancer progression.
  • To elucidate the regulatory relationship between RASD2 and microRNA-485-5p.
  • To evaluate the therapeutic potential of targeting the RASD2 pathway in thyroid carcinoma.

Main Methods

  • Bioinformatic analysis of public databases and clinical specimens.
  • Immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR for gene expression validation.
  • In vitro functional assays (proliferation, invasion, glycolysis) and in vivo xenograft/metastasis models.
  • Molecular studies to confirm miRNA-target interactions.

Main Results

  • RASD2 is significantly upregulated in thyroid cancer, correlating with advanced stage, metastasis, and invasion.
  • RASD2 knockdown suppresses proliferation, invasion, and glycolysis in thyroid cancer cells.
  • MicroRNA-485-5p acts as a negative regulator of RASD2, exhibiting tumor-suppressive effects.
  • Inhibition of RASD2 reduces tumor growth and metastasis in vivo.

Conclusions

  • The microRNA-485-5p/RASD2 axis is a critical regulatory pathway in thyroid cancer.
  • RASD2 is a potential therapeutic target for thyroid carcinoma.
  • This study provides novel insights into thyroid cancer pathogenesis and treatment.

Keywords:

Related Concept Videos

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression 03:03

3.6K

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...

MicroRNAs 01:22

21.0K

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...

Abnormal Proliferation 02:23

4.3K

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...

The <em>Ras</em> Gene 02:38

6.1K

The Ras-gene-encoded proteins are regulators of signaling pathways controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, or cell survival. The Ras-gene family in humans constitutes three primary members—the HRas, NRas, and KRas. These genes code for four functionally distinct yet closely related proteins—the HRas, NRas, KRas4A, and KRas4B. The involvement of mutant Ras genes in human cancer was first discovered in 1982 and is among the most common causes of human tumorigenesis.
Ras is a...

Small GTPases - Ras and Rho 01:24

3.8K

Ras and Rho are small monomeric GTPases that act downstream of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and regulate various cellular processes. These GTPases switch between active and inactive states by binding to guanine nucleotides.
Three regulatory proteins control their activity:

Guanine nucleotide exchange factors or GEF,
GTPase-activating proteins or GAPs, and
Guanine nucleotide-dissociation inhibitors or GDIs.

The GEF activates the GTPase by exchanging the bound-GDP with GTP. The...

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle 02:38

6.3K

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...