Role of Microornas in Tumroigenesis and their Modulation by Versican 3' Untranslated Region

MicroRNA is a single-stranded RNA molecule of about 22 nucleotides in length and is expressed endogenously. It functions as a gene regulator by pairing imperfectly with 3’ untranslated region (3’UTR) of target mRNAs, leading to translational inhibition. MicroRNA is implicated in many regulatory pathways and hence affects various cellular activities. In the development of cancer, genetic alterations occurred at miRNA locus and its expression level is dysregulated in various cancers versus normal tissue counterparts. It is thus important to find the targets of dysregulated microRNAs contributing to progression of cancer. To facilitate long term functional studies, a microRNA expression construct with unique futures was generated. Stable expression of miR-378 enhanced cell survival, reduced caspase-3 activity, and promoted tumor growth and angiogenesis. By algorithmic predictions and proteomic analysis, two tumor suppressors, SuFu and Fus-1, were found to be translationally regulated by miR-378. Target validation was confirmed by co-transfection experiments and luciferase activity assays, reassuring its oncogenic role by regulating two tumor suppressor genes simultaneously. Conversely, microRNA can also function as a tumor suppressor by modulating expression of Versican, an extracellular matrix protein known to facilitate tumorigenesis and angiogenesis. By a novel PCR method, more than one microRNA were found to bind to Versican 3’UTR. iii Among these microRNAs, targeting of Versican and Fibronectin by miR199a-3p was validated. Expression of a fragment of Versican 3’UTR was expected to antagonize the function of miR-199a-3p. Stable expression of Versican 3’UTR resulted change in cell morphology and increased cell-cell adhesion. Analysis of primary tissues from transgenic mice expressing versican 3’UTR showed an increase expression of Versican and Fibronectin, and organ adhesion was found between liver and its surrounding tissues. In addition, 3’UTR also modulated the level of miR-199a-3p and miR-136, alleviating translation of negative cell cycle regulators, PTEN and Rb1. This resulted in reduced cell proliferation and hence diminished tumor growth. These findings suggest a role of microRNA in tumor growth, providing a valuable target for therapeutic intervention.Ph