Dataset Information

MicroRNA-184 inhibits neuroblastoma cell survival through targeting the serine/threonine kinase AKT2.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Neuroblastoma is a paediatric cancer of the sympathetic nervous system. The single most important genetic indicator of poor clinical outcome is amplification of the MYCN transcription factor. One of many down-stream MYCN targets is miR-184, which is either directly or indirectly repressed by this transcription factor, possibly due to its pro-apoptotic effects when ectopically over-expressed in neuroblastoma cells. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which miR-184 conveys pro-apoptotic effects.

Results

We demonstrate that the knock-down of endogenous miR-184 has the opposite effect of ectopic up-regulation, leading to enhanced neuroblastoma cell numbers. As a mechanism of how miR-184 causes apoptosis when over-expressed, and increased cell numbers when inhibited, we demonstrate direct targeting and degradation of AKT2, a major downstream effector of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, one of the most potent pro-survival pathways in cancer. The pro-apoptotic effects of miR-184 ectopic over-expression in neuroblastoma cell lines is reproduced by siRNA inhibition of AKT2, while a positive effect on cell numbers similar to that obtained by the knock-down of endogenous miR-184 can be achieved by ectopic up-regulation of AKT2. Moreover, co-transfection of miR-184 with an AKT2 expression vector lacking the miR-184 target site in the 3'UTR rescues cells from the pro-apoptotic effects of miR-184.

Conclusions

MYCN contributes to tumorigenesis, in part, by repressing miR-184, leading to increased levels of AKT2, a direct target of miR-184. Thus, two important genes with positive effects on cell growth and survival, MYCN and AKT2, can be linked into a common genetic pathway through the actions of miR-184. As an inhibitor of AKT2, miR-184 could be of potential benefit in miRNA mediated therapeutics of MYCN amplified neuroblastoma and other forms of cancer.

SUBMITTER: Foley NH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2864218 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

MicroRNA-184 inhibits neuroblastoma cell survival through targeting the serine/threonine kinase AKT2.

Foley Niamh H NH Bray Isabella M IM Tivnan Amanda A Bryan Kenneth K Murphy Derek M DM Buckley Patrick G PG Ryan Jacqueline J O'Meara Anne A O'Sullivan Maureen M Stallings Raymond L RL

Molecular cancer 20100421

<h4>Background</h4>Neuroblastoma is a paediatric cancer of the sympathetic nervous system. The single most important genetic indicator of poor clinical outcome is amplification of the MYCN transcription factor. One of many down-stream MYCN targets is miR-184, which is either directly or indirectly repressed by this transcription factor, possibly due to its pro-apoptotic effects when ectopically over-expressed in neuroblastoma cells. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechan ...[more]

PMID: 20409325

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Dataset Information

MicroRNA-184 inhibits neuroblastoma cell survival through targeting the serine/threonine kinase AKT2.

Background

Results

Conclusions

Publications

MicroRNA-184 inhibits neuroblastoma cell survival through targeting the serine/threonine kinase AKT2.

Similar Datasets

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