Acquisition of radioresistance in docetaxel-resistant human lung adenocarcinoma cells is linked with dysregulation of miR-451/c-Myc-survivin/rad-51 signaling

Oncotarget. 2014 Aug 15;5(15):6113-29. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.2176.

Abstract

Chemoresistant tumors usually fail to respond to radiotherapy. However, the mechanisms involved in chemo- and radiotherapy cross resistance are not fully understood. Previously, we have identified microRNA (miR)-451 as a tumor suppressor in lung adenocarcinoma (LAD). However, whether miR-451 plays critical roles in chemo- and radiotherapy cross resistance in LAD is unclear. Here, we established two docetaxel-resistant LAD cell models (SPC-A1/DTX and H1299/DTX), and showed that miR-451 was significantly downregulated in docetaxel-resistant LAD cells. Gain - and loss - of - function assays indicated that re-expression of miR-451 could reverse radioresistance of docetaxel-resistant LAD cells both in vitro and in vivo through promoting apoptosis and DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). The proto-oncogene c-Myc was identified as a direct target of miR-451, and re-expression of miR-451 inhibited survivin and rad-51 expression by reducing the amount of c-Myc protein binding to their promoters. Silencing of c-Myc could phenocopy the effects of miR-451 upregulation, and restoration of c-Myc could partially rescue the effect of miR-451 upregulation on radiosensitivity of docetaxel-resistant LAD cells. Therefore, dysregulation of miR-451/c-Myc-survivin/rad-51 signaling is responsible for radioresistance of docetaxel-resistant LAD cells, and targeting it will be a potential strategy for reversing chemo- and radiotherapy cross resistance of LAD patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics*
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Docetaxel
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Signal Transduction
  • Taxoids

Substances

  • MAS1 protein, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Taxoids
  • Docetaxel