MicroRNA: Biogenesis, Function and Role in Cancer

MicroRNAs are small, highly conserved non-coding RNA molecules involved in the regulation of gene expression. MicroRNAs are transcribed by RNA polymerases II and III, generating precursors that undergo a series of cleavage events to form mature microRNA. The conventional biogenesis pathway consists of two cleavage events, one nuclear and one cytoplasmic. However, alternative biogenesis pathways exist that differ in the number of cleavage events and enzymes responsible. How microRNA precursors are sorted to the different pathways is unclear but appears to be determined by the site of origin of the microRNA, its sequence and thermodynamic stability. The regulatory functions of microRNAs are accomplished through the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). MicroRNA assembles into RISC, activating the complex to target messenger RNA (mRNA) specified by the microRNA. Various RISC assembly models have been proposed and research continues to explore the mechanism(s) of RISC loading and activation. The degree and nature of the complementarity between the microRNA and target determine the gene silencing mechanism, slicer-dependent mRNA degradation or slicer-independent translation inhibition. Recent evidence indicates that P-bodies are essential for microRNA-mediated gene silencing and that RISC assembly and silencing occurs primarily within P-bodies. The P-body model outlines microRNA sorting and shuttling between specialized P-body compartments that house enzymes required for slicer -dependent and -independent silencing, addressing the reversibility of these silencing mechanisms. Detailed knowledge of the microRNA pathways is essential for understanding their physiological role and the implications associated with dysfunction and dysregulation.     

Dynamic mechanisms for pre-miRNA binding and export by Exportin-5

The biogenesis and function of mature microRNAs (miRNAs) is dependent on the nuclear export of miRNA precursors (pre-miRNA) by Exportin-5 (Exp5). To characterize the molecular mechanisms of how pre-miRNA is recognized and transported by Exp5, we have performed 21 molecular dynamic (MD) simulations of RNA-bound Exp5 (Exp5-RanGTP-premiRNA, Exp5-RanGDP-premiRNA, Exp5-premiRNA), RNA-unbound Exp5 (Exp5-RanGTP, Exp5-RanGDP, apo-Exp5), and pre-miRNA. Our simulations with standard MD, steered molecular dynamics (SMD), and energy analysis have shown that (1) Free Exp5 undergoes extensive opening motion, and in this way facilitates the RanGTP binding. (2) RanGTP efficiently regulates the association/dissociation of pre-miRNA to its complex by inducing conformational changes in the HEAT-repeat helix stacking of Exp5. (3) The GTP hydrolysis prevents Ran from rebinding to Exp5 by regulating the hydrophobic interfaces and salt bridges between Ran and Exp5. (4) The transition from the A'-form to the A-form of the pre-miRNA modulates the structural complementarities between the protein and the pre-miRNA, thus promoting efficient assembly of the complex. (5) The base-flipping process (from the closed to the fully flipped state) of the 2-nt 3' overhang is a prerequisite for the pre-miRNA recognition by Exp5, which occurs in a sequence-independent manner as evidenced by the fact that different 2-nt 3' overhangs bind to Exp5 in essentially the same way. And finally, a plausible mechanism of the pre-miRNA export cycle has been proposed explaining how the protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions are coordinated in physiological conditions.     

MicroRNA的结构、生物合成及功能

MicroRNA是真核生物中一类长度约为22个核苷酸的参与基因转录后水平调控的非编码小分子RNA。成熟的microRNA是由较长的可折叠形成发夹结构的前体转录物经过Dicer酶或类似Dicer酶的内切核酸酶加工而来。MicroRNA基因存在于基因组的基因间隔区或者内含子当中。这些小分子RNA通过碱基配对与靶mRNA序列的3′非翻译区或编码区结合以调控基因的表达。它们呈现出组织特异性或发育阶段特异性表达特征。MicroRNA具有调节细胞增殖、死亡、神经细胞分化、个体发育等生物学功能。     

Comprehensive Analysis of MicroRNA (miRNA) Targets in Breast Cancer Cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate mRNA stability and translation through the action of the RNAi-induced silencing complex. In this study, we systematically identified endogenous miRNA target genes by using AGO2 immunoprecipitation (AGO2-IP) and microarray analyses in two breast cancer cell lines, MCF7 and MDA-MB-231, representing luminal and basal-like breast cancer, respectively. The expression levels of ∼70% of the AGO2-IP mRNAs were increased by DROSHA or DICER1 knockdown. In addition, integrated analysis of miRNA expression profiles, mRNA-AGO2 interaction, and the 3′-UTR of mRNAs revealed that >60% of the AGO2-IP mRNAs were putative targets of the 50 most abundantly expressed miRNAs. Together, these results suggested that the majority of the AGO2-associated mRNAs were bona fide miRNA targets. Functional enrichment analysis uncovered that the AGO2-IP mRNAs were involved in regulation of cell cycle, apoptosis, adhesion/migration/invasion, stress responses (e.g. DNA damage and endoplasmic reticulum stress and hypoxia), and cell-cell communication (e.g. Notch and Ephrin signaling pathways). A role of miRNAs in regulating cell migration/invasion and stress response was further defined by examining the impact of DROSHA knockdown on cell behaviors. We demonstrated that DROSHA knockdown enhanced cell migration and invasion, whereas it sensitized cells to cell death induced by suspension culture, glucose depletion, and unfolding protein stress. Data from an orthotopic xenograft model showed that DROSHA knockdown resulted in reduced growth of primary tumors but enhanced lung metastasis. Taken together, these results suggest that miRNAs collectively function to promote survival of tumor cells under stress but suppress cell migration/invasion in breast cancer cells.     

MicroRNA在肿瘤诊断、治疗中的应用

MieroRNA（miRNA）是真核生物中一类内源性、长约22个核苷酸的非编码小分子RNA,参与基因转录后水平调控。miRNA的突变或者异常表达,与大多数癌症的发生发展有关,且与某些抗肿瘤药物疗效密切相关。因此,miRNA在癌症的诊断、预后、治疗和指导肿瘤个体化用药方面具有一定的临床应用潜力,是肿瘤生物治疗领域的一个新亮点。本文即对miRNA在诊断和治疗肿瘤方面的应用现状作一综述。     

MicroRNA MiR-214 Regulates Ovarian Cancer Cell Stemness by Targeting p53/Nanog

Previous studies have shown aberrant expression of miR-214 in human malignancy. Elevated miR-214 is associated with chemoresistance and metastasis. In this study, we identified miR-214 regulation of ovarian cancer stem cell (OCSC) properties by targeting p53/Nanog axis. Enforcing expression of miR-214 increases, whereas knockdown of miR-214 decreases, OCSC population and self-renewal as well as the Nanog level preferentially in wild-type p53 cell lines. Furthermore, we found that p53 is directly repressed by miR-214 and that miR-214 regulates Nanog through p53. Expression of p53 abrogated miR-214-induced OCSC properties. These data suggest the critical role of miR-214 in OCSC via regulation of the p53-Nanog axis and miR-214 as a therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.     

MicroRNA 在肿瘤诊断、治疗中的应用

MicroRNA(miRNA)是真核生物中一类内源性、长约22个核苷酸的非编码小分子RNA,参与基因转录后水平调控。miRNA的突变或者异常表达,与大多数癌症的发生发展有关,且与某些抗肿瘤药物疗效密切相关。因此,miRNA在癌症的诊断、预后、治疗和指导肿瘤个体化用药方面具有一定的临床应用潜力,是肿瘤生物治疗领域的一个新亮点。本文即对miRNA在诊断和治疗肿瘤方面的应用现状作一综述。     

Role of PEX5 ubiquitination in maintaining peroxisome dynamics and homeostasis

Peroxisomes are essential and dynamic organelles that allow cells to rapidly adapt and cope with changing environments and/or physiological conditions by modulation of both peroxisome biogenesis and turnover. Peroxisome biogenesis involves the assembly of peroxisome membranes and the import of peroxisomal matrix proteins. The latter depends on the receptor, PEX5, which recognizes peroxisomal matrix proteins in the cytosol directly or indirectly, and transports them to the peroxisomal lumen. In this review, we discuss the role of PEX5 ubiquitination in both peroxisome biogenesis and turnover, specifically in PEX5 receptor recycling, stability and abundance, as well as its role in pexophagy (autophagic degradation of peroxisomes).     

Role of Phosphatidylethanolamine in the Biogenesis of Mitochondrial Outer Membrane Proteins

The mitochondrial outer membrane contains proteinaceous machineries for the import and assembly of proteins, including TOM (translocase of the outer membrane) and SAM (sorting and assembly machinery). It has been shown that the dimeric phospholipid cardiolipin is required for the stability of TOM and SAM complexes and thus for the efficient import and assembly of β-barrel proteins and some α-helical proteins of the outer membrane. Here, we report that mitochondria deficient in phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), the second non-bilayer-forming phospholipid, are impaired in the biogenesis of β-barrel proteins, but not of α-helical outer membrane proteins. The stability of TOM and SAM complexes is not disturbed by the lack of PE. By dissecting the import steps of β-barrel proteins, we show that an early import stage involving translocation through the TOM complex is affected. In PE-depleted mitochondria, the TOM complex binds precursor proteins with reduced efficiency. We conclude that PE is required for the proper function of the TOM complex.     

胃癌转移相关微小RNA的研究进展

胃癌是我国最常见的恶性肿瘤之一,复发和转移仍就是胃癌治疗的一大难题.微小RNA(miRNA)是一类内源性非编码小RNA,在转录后水平对基因表达进行负调控.可以作为一类新型的癌基因或抑癌基因参与肿瘤的凋亡,生长,侵袭.研究miRNA对胃癌转移发生发展的作用有助于我们寻找治疗胃癌的新方法.本文就miRNA和胃癌转移关系的研究进展做一综述.     

植物MicroRNA的特点与研究方法

MicroRNAs(miRNAs)是一类在植物、动物、单细胞藻类和病毒等中存在的具有调控基因表达作用的内源非编码小RNA(small RNAs).在植物中,miRNAs主要依靠与靶基因之间完全或近乎完全的互补配对切割靶基因或翻译抑制实现其调控功能.主要综述植物miRNA的特点,并介绍miRNA的获得方式、靶基因预测及验证方法.     

MicroRNA与非小细胞肺癌关系的研究进展

肺癌是全世界因肿瘤导致死亡的主要原因,虽然肺癌发生的分子机制在基因和蛋白水平上已经得到部分阐明,但死亡率并没有明显改善。microRNA（miRNA）是一类小分子内源性非编码蛋白的RNA,通过与靶mRNA 3＇非翻译区（3＇-untranslated region,3＇-UTR）序列互补配对,产生翻译抑制或者导致RNA的降解来负性调控基因的表达。近来的研究发现有多种miRNA参与肺癌的发生,发展及转移过程,使其可作为生物标志物用于肺癌早期诊断,靶向治疗及预后监测,为肺癌的诊断和治疗提供新的方向。本文就miRNA在肺癌诊断、分型和治疗中的作用进行综述。     

miRNA 在胃癌中的作用及其在转化医学中的应用

转化医学是近年来提出的关于基础研究与临床密切结合的新概念,强调实现基础研究成果真正转化为临床实践,为疾病的诊断和治疗提供先进而有效的方法。胃癌是消化系统常见的恶性肿瘤,其早期诊断与治疗是转化医学研究的重点内容之一。microRNA(miRNA)是近年来发现的一类长约21-25个核苷酸的非编码单链小分子RNA,广泛存在于真核生物中。它的发现揭示了一种新的基因表达调控方式,为胃癌早期诊断与治疗的研究开辟了新路径。miRNA能够通过与靶基因特异性的结合使其降解或抑制其翻译,从而对靶基因进行转录后的表达调控。现有越来越多的研究发现,miRNA与了胃癌的发生、发展、治疗及预后都密切相关,此文从转化医学角度综述了miRNA在胃癌中对细胞周期、细胞凋亡、侵袭、转移、放化疗敏感性等的影响的研究进展。     

MicroRNA 与胶质瘤的分子病理特征研究进展

MicroRNAs(miRNAs)是一类非编码的内源性小RNA分子,通过调节mRNA的稳定性及蛋白翻译过程控制基因表达,从而发挥促癌或抑癌作用;研究表明,在胶质瘤的发生、进展、侵袭过程中,伴随发生了许多分子病理特征的改变,这一过程中miRNAs发挥着重要作用,本文就此方面研究进展进行综述。     

microRNA层面上癌症的公共机制

microRNAs(miRNA)是一类内源性的非编码小RNA。已有研究表明miRNAs的靶基因中有不少癌症的相关基因。为了全面研究miRNA与癌症的关系,作者将19种癌症的相关基因集合分别富集到494个miRNAs靶基因集合上,得到各类癌症所富集的miRNAs。结果发现19种癌症仅集中地富集在144个miRNAs上,由此验证了癌症在miRNAs上的公共机制。在此基础上,作者对癌症富集较多的8个miRNAs做了进一步研究,结果发现这8个miRNAs均为高度保守的miRNAs,且它们的靶基因集合一致富集在基因本体论(gene ontology,GO)的基本生物学过程上,并与转录因子活性以及蛋白激酶活性相关。另一方面,在基于miRNA构建的癌症网络中,前列腺癌与乳腺癌,结肠癌与乳腺癌之间共享较多的miRNAs,表明了这些癌症在miRNA层面上存在密切的关系。     

心力衰竭中线粒体的生物合成及治疗策略

心力衰竭是目前全球共同面对的公共卫生问题之一,是各种心血管疾病发展的最终阶段。传统的强心、利尿、扩张外周血管等治疗措施仅能缓解心力衰竭的症状,但无法逆转在心肌细胞中发生的分子变化。心力衰竭发生、发展的病理生理机制是复杂的、多方面的,包括神经-体液的调节、炎症反应、细胞的肥大及凋亡等机制,其中线粒体的功能障碍是心力衰竭进展中的关键因素之一。心力衰竭中心肌细胞虽然发生代谢障碍,但仍然保持活性,且存在逆转的可能性。因此,在心力衰竭的治疗上不能局限在缓解症状,而应针对心力衰竭中潜在的分子机制,逆转损伤的心肌。研究线粒体在衰竭心肌中发生的病理生理变化,对于逆转心肌的收缩功能具有重要意义。本文就线粒体的生物起源及其针对其起源在心力衰竭中的治疗措施作一综述。     

MicroRNA expression profile of colon cancer stem-like cells in HT29 adenocarcinoma cell line

Increasing evidence has suggested cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered to be responsible for cancer formation, recurrence, and metastasis. Recently, many studies have also revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) strongly implicate in regulating self renewal and tumorigenicity of CSCs in human cancers. However, with respect to colon cancer, the role of miRNAs in stemness maintenance and tumorigenicity of CSCs still remains to be unknown. In the present study, we isolated a population of colon CSCs expressing a CD133 surface phenotype from human HT29 colonic adenocarcinoma cell line by Flow Cytometry Cell Sorting. The CD133⁺ cells possess a greater tumor sphere-forming efficiency in vitro and higher tumorigenic potential in vivo. Furthermore, the CD133⁺ cells are endowed with stem/progenitor cells-like property including expression of “stemness” genes involved in Wnt2, BMI1, Oct3/4, Notch1, C-myc and other genes as well as self-renewal and differentiation capacity. Moreover, we investigated the miRNA expression profile of colon CSCs using miRNA array. Consequently, we identified a colon CSCs miRNA signature comprising 11 overexpressed and 8 underexpressed miRNAs, such as miR-429, miR-155, and miR-320d, some of which may be involved in regulation of stem cell differentiation. Our results suggest that miRNAs might play important roles in stemness maintenance of colon CSCs, and analysis of specific miRNA expression signatures may contribute to potential cancer therapy.