Downregulation of tumor suppressor menin by miR-421 promotes proliferation and migration of neuroblastoma

Tumour Biol. 2014 Oct;35(10):10011-7. doi: 10.1007/s13277-014-1921-1. Epub 2014 Jul 11.

Abstract

Neuroblastoma, featured by a high rate of spontaneous remissions, is the most common extra-cranial solid tumor in infants and children. Numerous reports have demonstrated that MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in cancer progression, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis. miR-421 functions as an onco-miR in some malignancies. However, its role in neuroblastoma remains poorly understood. In the present study, we found that miR-421 was increased in neuroblastoma tissues compared with matched adjacent normal tissues. Forced overexpression of miR-421 substantially enhanced cell proliferation, cell-cycle progression, migration, and invasion of neuroblastoma cells. At the molecular level, tumor suppressor menin was found to be a target of miR-421. Furthermore, downregulation of menin by small interfering RNA oligos exhibited similar effects with overexpression of miR-421. On the other hand, overexpression of menin partially reversed the proliferative effects of miR-421 in neuroblastoma cells. Collectively, miR-421 may promote neuroblastoma cell growth and motility partially by targeting menin.

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology
  • Down-Regulation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / physiology*
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics
  • Neuroblastoma / genetics
  • Neuroblastoma / pathology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Transfection

Substances

  • MEN1 protein, human
  • MIRN421 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering