hsa-miR-221

hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

Relationship type:

Causal

Detection method for miRNA expression:

northern blot, qRT-PCR etc

up-regulated

Validated targets of miRNA from the reference:

Bmf

Validated targets of miRNA from TarBase:

KIT : More...

Description:

Enforced miR-221 expression caused Bmf down-regulation, whereas anti-miR-221 induced its up-regulation. A luciferase reporter assay confirmed Bmf as a target of miR-221. Following matrix detachment, miR-221 silencing led to increased apoptotic cell death. The analysis of HCC tissues revealed an inverse correlation between miR-221 and Bmf expression and a direct correlation between Bmf and activated caspase-3, as a marker of apoptosis. High miR-221 levels were associated with tumor multifocality and reduced time to recurrence after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that miR-221, by targeting Bmf, inhibits apoptosis. Moreover, in HCC, miR-221 overexpression is associated with a more aggressive phenotype. These findings, together with the previously reported modulation of CDKN1B/p27 and CDKN1C/p57, show that miR-221 simultaneously affects multiple pro-oncogenic pathways and suggest miR-221 as a potential target for nonconventional treatment against HCC.

Reference:

MicroRNA-221 targets Bmf in hepatocellular carcinoma and correlates with tumor multifocality. | PMID:19671867
Gramantieri L, Fornari F, Ferracin M, Veronese A, Sabbioni S, Calin GA, Grazi GL, Croce CM, Bolondi L, Negrini M.
Clin Cancer Res. 2009 Aug 15;15(16):5073-81.