Lin-28 homologue A (LIN28A) promotes cell cycle progression via regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), cyclin D1 (CCND1), and cell division cycle 25 homolog A (CDC25A) expression in cancer

The RNA-binding protein LIN28A regulates the translation and stability of a large number of mRNAs as well as the biogenesis of certain miRNAs in embryonic stem cells and developing tissues. Increasing evidence indicates that LIN28A functions as an oncogene promoting cancer cell growth. However, little is known about its molecular mechanism of cell cycle regulation in cancer. Using tissue microarrays, we found that strong LIN28A expression was reactivated in about 10% (7.1-17.1%) of epithelial tumors (six tumor types, n = 369). Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that LIN28A promotes cell cycle progression in cancer cells. Genome-wide RNA-IP-chip experiments indicate that LIN28A binds to thousands of mRNAs, including a large group of cell cycle regulatory mRNAs in cancer and embryonic stem cells. Furthermore, the ability of LIN28A to stimulate translation of LIN28A-binding mRNAs, such as CDK2, was validated in vitro and in vivo. Finally, using a combined gene expression microarray and bioinformatics approach, we found that LIN28A also regulates CCND1 and CDC25A expression and that this is mediated by inhibiting the biogenesis of let-7 miRNA. Taken together, these results demonstrate that LIN28A is reactivated in about 10% of epithelial tumors and promotes cell cycle progression by regulation of both mRNA translation (let-7-independent) and miRNA biogenesis (let-7-dependent).     

Lin28-mediated control of let-7 microRNA expression by alternative TUTases Zcchc11 (TUT4) and Zcchc6 (TUT7)

The pluripotency factor Lin28 recruits a 3' terminal uridylyl transferase (TUTase) to selectively block let-7 microRNA biogenesis in undifferentiated cells. Zcchc11 (TUTase4/TUT4) was previously identified as an enzyme responsible for Lin28-mediated pre-let-7 uridylation and control of let-7 expression. Here we investigate the protein and RNA determinants for this interaction. Biochemical dissection and reconstitution assays reveal the TUTase domains necessary and sufficient for Lin28-enhanced pre-let-7 uridylation. A single C2H2-type zinc finger domain of Zcchc11 was found to be responsible for the functional interaction with Lin28. We identify Zcchc6 (TUTase7) as an alternative TUTase that functions with Lin28 in vitro, and accordingly, we find Zcchc11 and Zcchc6 redundantly control let-7 biogenesis in embryonic stem cells. Our study indicates that Lin28 uses two different TUTases to control let-7 expression and has important implications for stem cell biology as well as cancer.     

Short loop-targeting oligoribonucleotides antagonize Lin28 and enable pre-let-7 processing and suppression of cell growth in let-7-deficient cancer cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) originate from stem-loop-containing precursors (pre-miRNAs, pri-miRNAs) and mature by means of the Drosha and Dicer endonucleases and their associated factors. The let-7 miRNAs have prominent roles in developmental differentiation and in regulating cell proliferation. In cancer, the tumor suppressor function of let-7 is abrogated by overexpression of Lin28, one of several RNA-binding proteins that regulate let-7 biogenesis by interacting with conserved motifs in let-7 precursors close to the Dicer cleavage site. Using in vitro assays, we have identified a binding site for short modified oligoribonucleotides (‘looptomirs’) overlapping that of Lin28 in pre-let-7a-2. These looptomirs selectively antagonize the docking of Lin28, but still permit processing of pre-let-7a-2 by Dicer. Looptomirs restored synthesis of mature let-7 and inhibited growth and clonogenic potential in Lin28 overexpressing hepatocarcinoma cells, thereby demonstrating a promising new means to rescue defective miRNA biogenesis in Lin28-dependent cancers.     

Determinants of microRNA processing inhibition by the developmentally regulated RNA-binding protein Lin28

The developmentally regulated RNA-binding protein Lin28 blocks processing of let-7 family microRNAs (miRNAs) in embryonic cells. The molecular basis for this selective miRNA processing block is unknown. Here we find that Lin28 selectively binds the terminal loop region of let-7 precursors in vitro and that the loop mediates miRNA processing inhibition in vivo. Additionally, we identify the domains of Lin28 required for this inhibition. These findings establish a regulatory role for the terminal loop of precursors in miRNA maturation and provide insight into the mechanism by which Lin28 negatively regulates let-7 processing.     

The Lin28 cold-shock domain remodels pre-let-7 microRNA

The RNA-binding protein Lin28 regulates the processing of a developmentally important group of microRNAs, the let-7 family. Lin28 blocks the biogenesis of let-7 in embryonic stem cells and thereby prevents differentiation. It was shown that both RNA-binding domains (RBDs) of this protein, the cold-shock domain (CSD) and the zinc-knuckle domain (ZKD) are indispensable for pri- or pre-let-7 binding and blocking its maturation. Here, we systematically examined the nucleic acid-binding preferences of the Lin28 RBDs and determined the crystal structure of the Lin28 CSD in the absence and presence of nucleic acids. Both RNA-binding domains bind to single-stranded nucleic acids with the ZKD mediating specific binding to a conserved GGAG motif and the CSD showing only limited sequence specificity. However, only the isolated Lin28 CSD, but not the ZKD, can bind with a reasonable affinity to pre-let-7 and thus is able to remodel the terminal loop of pre-let-7 including the Dicer cleavage site. Further mutagenesis studies reveal that the Lin28 CSD induces a conformational change in the terminal loop of pre-let-7 and thereby facilitates a subsequent specific binding of the Lin28 ZKD to the conserved GGAG motif.     

Ectopic over-expression of tristetraprolin in human cancer cells promotes biogenesis of let-7 by down-regulation of Lin28

Tristetraprolin (TTP) is a AU-rich element (ARE) binding protein and exhibits suppressive effects on cell growth through down-regulation of ARE-containing oncogenes. The let-7 microRNA has emerged as a significant factor in tumor suppression. Both TTP and let-7 are often repressed in human cancers, thereby promoting oncogenesis by derepressing their target genes. In this work, an unexpected link between TTP and let-7 has been found in human cancer cells. TTP promotes an increase in expression of mature let-7, which leads to the inhibition of let-7 target gene CDC34 expression and suppresses cell growth. This event is associated with TTP-mediated inhibition of Lin28, which has emerged as a negative modulator of let-7. Lin28 mRNA contains ARE within its 3'-UTR and TTP enhances the decay of Lin28 mRNA through binding to its 3'-UTR. This suggests that the TTP-mediated down-regulation of Lin28 plays a key role in let-7 miRNA biogenesis in cancer cells.     

Lin28 Induces Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Stemness via Downregulation of Let-7a in Breast Cancer Cells

The RNA-binding protein Lin28 is known to promote malignancy by inhibiting the biogenesis of let-7, which functions as a tumor suppressor. However, the role of the Lin28/let-7 axis in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness in breast cancer has not been clearly expatiated. In our previous study, we demonstrated that let-7 regulates self-renewal and tumorigenicity of breast cancer stem cells. In the present study, we demonstrated that Lin28 was highly expressed in mesenchymal (M) type cells (MDA-MB-231 and SK-3rd), but it was barely detectable in epithelial (E) type cells (MCF-7 and BT-474). Lin28 remarkably induced the EMT, increased a higher mammosphere formation rate and ALDH activity and subsequently promoted colony formation, as well as adhesion and migration in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Lin28 induced EMT in breast cancer cells via downregulation of let-7a. Strikingly, Lin28 overexpression was found in breast cancers that had undergone metastasis and was strongly predictive of poor prognoses in breast cancers. Given that Lin28 induced the EMT via let-7a and promoted breast cancer metastasis, Lin28 may be a therapeutic target for the eradication of breast cancer metastasis.     

Reversible acetylation of Lin28 mediated by PCAF and SIRT1

Lin28 is a small RNA-binding protein that plays an important role in regulating developmental timing, stem cell reprogramming, and oncogenesis. However, the significance of the effect of post-translational modifications on Lin28 activity is not fully understood. In this study, we demonstrated that PCAF directly interacted with and acetylated Lin28. We also showed that the acetylation of Lin28 can be specifically reversed by the deacetylase SIRT1. These findings suggest that the PCAF/SIRT1 balance plays an important role in regulating Lin28 activity. Furthermore, we found that the cold shock domain of Lin28 is the major target of PCAF-mediated acetylation, which leads to a severe reduction in the Lin28 protein levels and an increase in the level of mature let-7a. This study provides the first demonstration that post-translational modification regulates Lin28 activity during let-7a biogenesis and sheds light on the regulation of Lin28 in ES cells and carcinogenesis.     

过表达Lin28a/Lin28b对let-7家族活性的影响

研究在HeLaS3细胞中过表达Lin28a/Lin28b对let-7家族miRNA表达水平和活性的影响。首先,构建Lin28a和Lin28b的表达载体pAAV2neo-Lin28a和pAAV2neo-Lin28b,分别转染HeLaS3细胞并筛选获得Lin28a和Lin28b的稳定表达细胞株HeLaS3/pAAV2neo-Lin28a和HeLaS3/pAAV2neo-Lin28b。然后,以pAAV2neo-Gluc-(Fluc)为基本骨架,构建并获得检测let-7家族miRNA活性的8种质粒型载体,并包装为相应的重组腺相关病毒(Recombinant adeno-associated virus,rAAV),作为检测miRNA靶序列介导的转录后抑制活性的传感器,命名为Asensor。在此基础上,以HeLaS3细胞为对照,用Western blot检测HeLaS3/pAAV2neo-Lin28a和HeLaS3/pAAV2neo-Lin28b细胞中Lin28a和Lin28b表达水平,用QRT-PCR测定let-7家族各成员表达水平,用Asensor检测let-7家族各成员活性。Western blot结果显示,HeLaS3/pAAV2neo-Lin28a和HeLaS3/pAAV2neo-Lin28b均能有效地表达Lin28a和Lin28b蛋白;QRT-PCR检测结果显示,相比于HeLaS3细胞,HeLaS3/pAAV2neo-Lin28a细胞中let-7家族各成员表达水平都下降(除let-7e外),但不同成员下降幅度存在差异;Asensor检测结果显示,let-7家族所有成员活性水平都下降,但不同成员下降幅度也存在差异,且同一成员活性水平与表达水平及其下降趋势也不一致。相比于HeLaS3细胞,HeLaS3/pAAV2neo-Lin28b细胞中let-7家族成员的表达和活性水平均明显下降,但表达水平的下降幅度比HeLaS3/pAAV2neo-Lin28a细胞大,而活性的下降幅度却与之相近。本研究建立了一种检测和比较miRNA靶序列介导的转录后抑制活性的方法,首次研究了过表达Lin28a和Lin28b对细胞中的let-7家族miRNA活性影响,并发现Lin28a和Lin28b对let-7家族miRNA表达水平的影响和对其相应活性的影响不一致性,说明在检测miRNA表达水平的同时检测miRNA活性能更全面揭示miRNA的调节功能,为进一步研究let-7家族的调控机制奠定了基础。     

Drosha mediates destabilization of Lin28 mRNA targets

Lin28 plays important roles in development, stem cell maintenance, oncogenesis and metabolism. As an RNA-binding protein, it blocks the biogenesis primarily of let-7 family miRNAs and also promotes translation of a cohort of mRNAs involved in cell growth, metabolism and pluripotency, likely through recognition of distinct sequence and structural motifs within mRNAs. Here, we show that one such motif, shared by multiple Lin28-responsive elements (LREs) present in Lin28 mRNA targets also participates in a Drosha-dependent regulation and may contribute to destabilization of its cognate mRNAs. We further show that the same mutations in the LREs known to abolish Lin28 binding and stimulation of translation also abrogate Drosha-dependent mRNA destabilization, and that this effect is independent of miRNAs, uncovering a previously unsuspected coupling between Drosha-dependent destabilization and Lin28-mediated regulation. Thus, Lin28-dependent stimulation of translation of target mRNAs may, in part, serve to compensate for their intrinsic instability, thereby ensuring optimal levels of expression of genes critical for cell viability, metabolism and pluripotency.     

Drosha mediates destabilization of Lin28 mRNA targets

Lin28 plays important roles in development, stem cell maintenance, oncogenesis and metabolism. As an RNA-binding protein, it blocks the biogenesis primarily of let-7 family miRNAs and also promotes translation of a cohort of mRNAs involved in cell growth, metabolism and pluripotency, likely through recognition of distinct sequence and structural motifs within mRNAs. Here, we show that one such motif, shared by multiple Lin28-responsive elements (LREs) present in Lin28 mRNA targets also participates in a Drosha-dependent regulation and may contribute to destabilization of its cognate mRNAs. We further show that the same mutations in the LREs known to abolish Lin28 binding and stimulation of translation also abrogate Drosha-dependent mRNA destabilization, and that this effect is independent of miRNAs, uncovering a previously unsuspected coupling between Drosha-dependent destabilization and Lin28-mediated regulation. Thus, Lin28-dependent stimulation of translation of target mRNAs may, in part, serve to compensate for their intrinsic instability, thereby ensuring optimal levels of expression of genes critical for cell viability, metabolism and pluripotency.     

Stepwise assembly of multiple Lin28 proteins on the terminal loop of let-7 miRNA precursors

Lin28 inhibits the biogenesis of let-7 miRNAs through direct interactions with let-7 precursors. Previous studies have described seemingly inconsistent Lin28 binding sites on pre-let-7 RNAs. Here, we reconcile these data by examining the binding mechanism of Lin28 to the terminal loop of pre-let-7g (TL-let-7g) using biochemical and biophysical methods. First, we investigate Lin28 binding to TL-let-7g variants and short RNA fragments and identify three independent binding sites for Lin28 on TL-let-7g. We then determine that Lin28 assembles in a stepwise manner on TL-let-7g to form a stable 1:3 complex. We show that the cold-shock domain (CSD) of Lin28 is responsible for remodelling the terminal loop of TL-let-7g, whereas the NCp7-like domain facilitates the initial binding of Lin28 to TL-let-7g. This stable binding of multiple Lin28 molecules to the terminal loop of pre-let-7g extends to other precursors of the let-7 family, but not to other pre-miRNAs tested. We propose a model for stepwise assembly of the 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 pre-let-7g/Lin28 complexes. Stepwise multimerization of Lin28 on pre-let-7 is required for maximum inhibition of Dicer cleavage for a least one member of the let-7 family and may be important for orchestrating the activity of the several factors that regulate let-7 biogenesis.