microRNA-200a inhibits cell proliferation by targeting mitochondrial transcription factor A in breast cancer

DNA Cell Biol. 2014 May;33(5):291-300. doi: 10.1089/dna.2013.2132. Epub 2014 Mar 31.

Abstract

microRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous 19-25 nucleotide noncoding single-stranded RNAs that regulate gene expression by blocking the translation or decreasing the stability of mRNAs. In this study, we showed that miR-200a expression levels were decreased while mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) mRNA expression levels were increased in breast cancer (BC) tissues and cell lines, and identified TFAM as a novel direct target of miR-200a. Overexpression of miR-200a suppressed TFAM protein expression, mtDNA copy number, and attenuated cell proliferation. Forced expression of TFAM can partly rescue the inhibitory effect of miR-200a in the cells. Taken together, these findings will shed light on the role and mechanism of miR-200a in regulating BC cells growth and mtDNA copy number via miR-200a/TFAM axis, and miR-200a may serve as a potential therapeutic target in BC in the future.

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • MIRN200 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • TFAM protein, human
  • Transcription Factors