Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

An In Vitro Protocol for Evaluating MicroRNA Levels, Functions, and Associated Target Genes in Tumor Cells
Published on: May 21, 2019
Chemopreventive Effects of Lycopene in miR-21 Knockout and Wild-Type Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Basak Dalbayrak1, Burcu Taluğ Taştan1, Tuğçe Temel2
1Institute of Biotechnology, Gebze Technical University, Gebze, 41400, Kocaeli, Türkiye, gyte.edu.tr.
Abstract:
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies, characterized by late diagnosis, rapid progression, and resistance to conventional therapies. The oncogenic microRNA miR-21 is frequently upregulated in pancreatic tumors and contributes to tumor growth, migration, and chemoresistance by targeting tumor suppressor genes. Lycopene, a naturally occurring carotenoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has shown promise as a chemopreventive agent in several cancer types. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of lycopene in human pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2) and their miR-21 knockout counterparts. Treatment with 50 μM lycopene significantly reduced cell viability, colony formation, migration, and spheroid integrity and decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, with more pronounced effects in miR-21-deficient cells. These findings highlight the role of miR-21 in modulating lycopene sensitivity and support the potential of lycopene as an adjunctive therapeutic agent in pancreatic cancer.
Related Concept Videos
MicroRNAs
Abnormal Proliferation
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
MicroRNAs
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Somatic cells are...

