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Author Spotlight: Exploring the Mechanisms of MicroRNA Loading into Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer Progression
Published on: October 6, 2023
EVmiRED: a curated database of miRNA editing landscape in extracellular vesicles
KaHei Kou1,2, Lanqi Wen1, Luo Yang1
1State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Abstract:
Metastasis accounts for the vast majority of tumor-related mortality. Certain populations of tumor cells exhibit organotropism by preferentially colonizing specific distant organs. The organ specificity of metastatic cells is determined by unique interactions between tumor cells and the microenvironment in target organs. Tumor extracellular vesicles (EVs), particularly exosomes, delivering tumor cell components including nucleic acid complexes, proteins, and lipids, play a crucial role in mediating intercellular communication between tumor cells and their microenvironment. ADAR-mediated microRNA (miRNA) editing has emerged as a crucial mechanism influencing miRNA stability, processing, and target specificity. Although EVs are increasingly recognized as important vehicles of intercellular signaling and promising biomarkers for cancer, the landscape of miRNA editing within EVs remains largely unexplored. Here, we present EVmiRED (Extracellular Vesicle miRNA Editing Database), a resource that integrates miRNA expression and editing profiles from tumor-derived EVs. The current release includes data from 683 samples across 12 tumor types and cell lines. EVmiRED provides detailed information on miRNA abundance, editing frequency, and the predicted functional impact of specific editing events. EVmiRED enables users to query individual miRNAs, visualize expression and editing patterns, and access raw datasets for customized analyses. Together, EVmiRED offers a valuable platform to advance our understanding of RNA editing-mediated regulation in intercellular communication, tumor progression, and cancer immunology.
Insights
This study introduces EVmiRED, a database detailing microRNA (miRNA) editing in extracellular vesicles (EVs) from tumors. It provides insights into RNA editing
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Metastasis is a major cause of cancer mortality, driven by tumor cell interactions with specific organ microenvironments.
- Tumor extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, mediate intercellular communication by delivering molecular cargo.
- ADAR-mediated microRNA (miRNA) editing influences miRNA function, but its role within EVs is largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish EVmiRED, a comprehensive database of miRNA expression and editing in tumor-derived EVs.
- To explore the landscape of miRNA editing within extracellular vesicles.
- To provide a resource for analyzing RNA editing in cancer progression and intercellular communication.
Main Methods:
- Integrated miRNA expression and editing data from 683 tumor samples across 12 cancer types and cell lines.
- Developed EVmiRED to store and query information on miRNA abundance, editing frequency, and predicted functional impact.
- Enabled visualization of expression/editing patterns and access to raw data for user analysis.
Main Results:
- EVmiRED currently contains data from 683 samples across 12 tumor types.
- The database details miRNA abundance, editing frequency, and predicted functional consequences of editing events.
- Provides a searchable platform for exploring miRNA editing in tumor EVs.
Conclusions:
- EVmiRED is a valuable resource for understanding RNA editing in intercellular communication and tumor progression.
- The database facilitates research into the role of EV miRNA editing in cancer immunology.
- Highlights the potential of EV miRNA editing as a mechanism in cancer metastasis and as a biomarker.
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