MicroRNA-21 regulates expression of the PTEN tumor suppressor gene in human hepatocellular cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

microRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression negatively. Although a role for aberrant miRNA expression in cancer has been postulated, the pathophysiologic role and relevance of aberrantly expressed miRNA to tumor biology has not been established.

Methods

We evaluated the expression of miRNA in human hepatocellular cancer (HCC) by expression profiling, and defined a target gene and biologically functional effect of an up-regulated miRNA.

Results

miR-21 was noted to be highly overexpressed in HCC tumors and cell lines in expression profiling studies using a miRNA microarray. Inhibition of miR-21 in cultured HCC cells increased expression of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) tumor suppressor, and decreased tumor ce

SUBMITTER: Meng F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4285346 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature