c-Myc suppresses microRNA-29b to promote tumor aggressiveness and poor outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer by targeting FHIT

Oncogene. 2015 Apr 16;34(16):2072-82. doi: 10.1038/onc.2014.152. Epub 2014 Jun 9.

Abstract

The dual role of the microRNA-29 (miR-29) family in tumor progression and metastasis in solid tumors has been reported. Evidence for the role of miR-29 in tumor malignancy and its prognostic value in overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains conflicting. Mechanistic studies presented herein demonstrated that c-Myc suppressed the expression of miR-29b, promoting soft agar growth and invasion capability in lung cancer cells. Interestingly, the decrease in the expression of miR-29b by c-Myc is responsible for soft agar growth and invasiveness mediated by FHIT loss due to promoter methylation. Among patients, low expression of miR-29b and FHIT was more common in tumors with high c-Myc expression than in tumors with low c-Myc expression. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis showed that tumors with high c-Myc, low miR-29b and low FHIT expression had shorter OS and RFS periods than their counterparts. In conclusion, the decrease in the expression of miR-29b by c-Myc may be responsible for FHIT loss-mediated tumor aggressiveness and for poor outcome in NSCLC. Therefore, we suggest that restoration of the miR-29b expression using the c-Myc inhibitor might be helpful in suppressing tumor aggressiveness mediated by FHIT loss and consequently improving outcomes in NSCLC patients with tumors with low expression of FHIT.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acid Anhydride Hydrolases / biosynthesis*
  • Acid Anhydride Hydrolases / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • DNA Methylation
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • MicroRNAs / biosynthesis
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / biosynthesis
  • Signal Transduction / genetics

Substances

  • MIRN29a microRNA, human
  • MYC protein, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • fragile histidine triad protein
  • Acid Anhydride Hydrolases