Suppression of non-small cell lung tumor development by the let-7 microRNA family

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Mar 11;105(10):3903-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0712321105. Epub 2008 Feb 28.

Abstract

Many microRNAs (miRNAs) target mRNAs involved in processes aberrant in tumorigenesis, such as proliferation, survival, and differentiation. In particular, the let-7 miRNA family has been proposed to function in tumor suppression, because reduced expression of let-7 family members is common in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we show that let-7 functionally inhibits non-small cell tumor development. Ectopic expression of let-7g in K-Ras(G12D)-expressing murine lung cancer cells induced both cell cycle arrest and cell death. In tumor xenografts, we observed significant growth reduction of both murine and human non-small cell lung tumors when overexpression of let-7g was induced from lentiviral vectors. In let-7g expressing tumors, reductions in Ras family and HMGA2 protein levels were detected. Importantly, let-7g-mediated tumor suppression was more potent in lung cancer cell lines harboring oncogenic K-Ras mutations than in lines with other mutations. Ectopic expression of K-Ras(G12D) largely rescued let-7g mediated tumor suppression, whereas ectopic expression of HMGA2 was less effective. Finally, in an autochthonous model of NSCLC in the mouse, let-7g expression substantially reduced lung tumor burden.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology*
  • Cell Death
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Mutant Proteins / metabolism
  • ras Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Mutant Proteins
  • ras Proteins