Let-7 microRNA inhibits the proliferation of human glioblastoma cells

J Neurooncol. 2011 Mar;102(1):19-24. doi: 10.1007/s11060-010-0286-6. Epub 2010 Jul 7.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs comprising 21-23 nucleotides that regulate gene expression by transcriptionally repressing their complementary mRNAs. In particular, let-7 miRNA has been postulated to function as a tumor suppressor in various cancer cells, but not yet in glioblastoma. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumorigenic effect of let-7 miRNA in glioblastoma cells. Human glioblastoma cells (U251 or U87 cells) were transfected with let-7 miRNA and assayed for in-vitro proliferation, migration, and in-vivo tumor formation. Transfection of let-7 miRNA reduced expression of pan-RAS, N-RAS, and K-RAS in the glioblastoma cells. Let-7 miRNA also reduced the in-vitro proliferation and migration of the cells, and reduced the sizes of the tumors produced after transplantation into nude mice. However, let-7 miRNA exerted no effect on the proliferation of normal human astrocytes. These results indicate that let-7 miRNA has an anti-tumorigenic effect on glioblastoma cells, and suggest possible use of let-7 miRNA for treating glioblastoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Glioblastoma / genetics
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism
  • Glioblastoma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
  • ras Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ras Proteins / genetics
  • ras Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Messenger
  • mirnlet7 microRNA, human
  • ras Proteins