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Malignant germ cell tumors display common microRNA profiles resulting in global changes in expression of messenger RNA targets.

ABSTRACT: Despite their extensive clinical and pathologic heterogeneity, all malignant germ cell tumors (GCT) are thought to originate from primordial germ cells. However, no common biological abnormalities have been identified to date. We profiled 615 microRNAs (miRNA) in pediatric malignant GCTs, controls, and GCT cell lines (48 samples in total) and re-analyzed available miRNA expression data in adult gonadal malignant GCTs. We applied the bioinformatic algorithm Sylamer to identify miRNAs that are of biological importance by inducing global shifts in mRNA levels. The most significant differentially expressed miRNAs in malignant GCTs were all from the miR-371-373 and miR-302 clusters (adjusted P < 0.00005), which were overexpressed regardless of histologic subtype [yolk sac tumor (YST)/seminoma/embryonal carcinoma (EC)], site (gonadal/extragonadal), or patient age (pediatric/adult). Sylamer revealed that the hexamer GCACTT, complementary to the 2- to 7-nucleotide miRNA seed AAGUGC shared by six members of the miR-371-373 and miR-302 clusters, was the only sequence significantly enriched in the 3'-untranslated region of mRNAs downregulated in pediatric malignant GCTs (as a group), YSTs and ECs, and in adult YSTs (all versus nonmalignant tissue controls; P < 0.05). For the pediatric samples, downregulated genes containing the 3'-untranslated region GCACTT showed significant overrepresentation of Gene Ontology terms related to cancer-associated processes, whereas for downregulated genes lacking GCACTT, Gene Ontology terms generally represented metabolic processes only, with few genes per term (adjusted P < 0.05). We conclude that the miR-371-373 and miR-302 clusters are universally overexpressed in malignant GCTs and coordinately downregulate mRNAs involved in biologically significant pathways.

SUBMITTER: Palmer RD

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3000593 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Malignant germ cell tumors display common microRNA profiles resulting in global changes in expression of messenger RNA targets.

Palmer Roger D RD Murray Matthew J MJ Saini Harpreet K HK van Dongen Stijn S Abreu-Goodger Cei C Muralidhar Balaji B Pett Mark R MR Thornton Claire M CM Nicholson James C JC Enright Anton J AJ Coleman Nicholas N

Cancer research 20100323 7

Despite their extensive clinical and pathologic heterogeneity, all malignant germ cell tumors (GCT) are thought to originate from primordial germ cells. However, no common biological abnormalities have been identified to date. We profiled 615 microRNAs (miRNA) in pediatric malignant GCTs, controls, and GCT cell lines (48 samples in total) and re-analyzed available miRNA expression data in adult gonadal malignant GCTs. We applied the bioinformatic algorithm Sylamer to identify miRNAs that are of ...[more]

PMID: 20332240

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Project description:BACKGROUND:We hypothesised that differences in microRNA expression profiles contribute to the contrasting natural history and clinical outcome of the two most common types of malignant germ cell tumour (GCT), yolk sac tumours (YSTs) and germinomas. RESULTS:By direct comparison, using microarray data for paediatric GCT samples and published qRT-PCR data for adult samples, we identified microRNAs significantly up-regulated in YSTs (n = 29 paediatric, 26 adult, 11 overlapping) or germinomas (n = 37 paediatric). By Taqman qRT-PCR we confirmed differential expression of 15 of 16 selected microRNAs and further validated six of these (miR-302b, miR-375, miR-200b, miR-200c, miR-122, miR-205) in an independent sample set. Interestingly, the miR-302 cluster, which is over-expressed in all malignant GCTs, showed further over-expression in YSTs versus germinomas, representing six of the top eight microRNAs over-expressed in paediatric YSTs and seven of the top 11 in adult YSTs. To explain this observation, we used mRNA expression profiles of paediatric and adult malignant GCTs to identify 10 transcription factors (TFs) consistently over-expressed in YSTs versus germinomas, followed by linear regression to confirm associations between TF and miR-302 cluster expression levels. Using the sequence motif analysis environment iMotifs, we identified predicted binding sites for four of the 10 TFs (GATA6, GATA3, TCF7L2 and MAF) in the miR-302 cluster promoter region. Finally, we showed that miR-302 family over-expression in YST is likely to be functionally significant, as mRNAs down-regulated in YSTs were enriched for 3' untranslated region sequences complementary to the common seed of miR-302a~miR-302d. Such mRNAs included mediators of key cancer-associated processes, including tumour suppressor genes, apoptosis regulators and TFs. CONCLUSIONS:Differential microRNA expression is likely to contribute to the relatively aggressive behaviour of YSTs and may enable future improvements in clinical diagnosis and/or treatment.

Project description:Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are aggressive cancers that occur spontaneously (sporadic MPNST) or from pre-existing, benign plexiform neurofibromas in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients. MPNSTs metastasize easily, are resistant to therapeutic intervention and are frequently fatal. The molecular changes underlying the transition to malignancy in the NF1 setting are incompletely understood. Here we investigate the involvement of microRNAs in this process. Using an RT-PCR platform microRNA expression profiles were determined from a unique series of archival paired samples of plexiform neurofibroma and MPNST. At least 90 differentially expressed microRNAs (p<0.025; FDR<10%) were identified between the paired samples. Most microRNAs (91%) were found downregulated and 9% of the microRNAs were upregulated in MPNST. Based on the fold changes and statistical significance three downregulated microRNAs (let-7b-5p, miR-143-3p, miR-145-5p) and two upregulated microRNAs (miR135b-5p and miR-889-3p) were selected for further functional characterization. Their expression levels were validated in a relevant cell line panel and a series of unpaired fresh frozen tumor samples containing plexiform neurofibromas, atypical neurofibromas and MPNSTs. As part of the validation process we also determined and analyzed microRNA expression profiles of sporadic MPNSTs observing that microRNA expression discriminates NF1-associated and sporadic MPNSTs emphasizing their different etiologies. The involvement of microRNAs in tumorigenesis and cancer progression was examined in NF1-derived MPNST cell lines through modulating microRNA levels by transient transfection of microRNA mimics or inhibitors. The effects of microRNAs on cellular proliferation, migration, invasion and Wnt/ẞ-catenin signaling were determined. Our findings indicate that, some of the selected microRNAs affect migratory and invasive capabilities and Wnt signaling activity. It was observed that the functional effects upon microRNA modulation are distinct in different cell lines. From our study we conclude that miRNAs play essential regulatory roles in MPNST facilitating tumor progression.

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Malignant germ cell tumors display common microRNA profiles resulting in global changes in expression of messenger RNA targets.

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Malignant germ cell tumors display common microRNA profiles resulting in global changes in expression of messenger RNA targets.

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