Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026
07:02
In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice
Published on: August 23, 2019
MicroRNA-181a-5p promotes papillary thyroid carcinoma progress via the PTEN/AKT pathway
Wenyu Zhao1,2, Yiting Guo1, Liang He3
1Department of Endocrinology, Luoyang Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Luoyang, 471009, Henan Province, People's Republic of China.
Molecular Biotechnology
|June 3, 2026
Summary
MicroRNA-181a-5p (miR-181a-5p) is upregulated in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), promoting tumor growth and invasion. This study reveals miR-181a-5p
Area of Science:
- Molecular Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- MicroRNA Research
Background:
- Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid malignancy.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving PTC progression is crucial for developing effective therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression profile of microRNA-181a-5p (miR-181a-5p) in PTC.
- To elucidate the role and underlying mechanism of miR-181a-5p in PTC genesis and progression.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) for microRNA expression analysis.
- Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.
- In vitro cell proliferation, motility, and invasion assays.
- Western blotting for protein expression analysis (PTEN, p-AKT).
- Bioinformatics prediction and luciferase reporter gene assays to confirm target interaction.
Main Results:
- miR-181a-5p was significantly upregulated in PTC tissues and cells.
- Elevated miR-181a-5p levels correlated with larger tumor size and thyroid capsule invasion in PTC patients.
- Upregulation of miR-181a-5p enhanced PTC cell proliferation, motility, and invasion.
- miR-181a-5p was found to suppress PTEN expression, leading to increased AKT phosphorylation (p-AKT).
- miR-181a-5p directly targets the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of PTEN.
Conclusions:
- miR-181a-5p acts as an oncogenic microRNA in PTC progression.
- The PTEN/Akt signaling pathway is a key mechanism through which miR-181a-5p promotes PTC.
- miR-181a-5p represents a potential therapeutic target for papillary thyroid cancer.
Related Concept Videos
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
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...
The mTOR pathway or the...
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
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...
The mTOR pathway or the...
01:22PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast, mTORC2 consists of a rapamycin-insensitive companion...
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
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 daughter...
01:22MicroRNAs
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 the pre-miRNA ends...
01:22MicroRNAs
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 the pre-miRNA...