Dataset Information

A combination of transcriptional and microRNA regulation improves the stability of the relative concentrations of target genes.

ABSTRACT: It is well known that, under suitable conditions, microRNAs are able to fine tune the relative concentration of their targets to any desired value. We show that this function is particularly effective when one of the targets is a Transcription Factor (TF) which regulates the other targets. This combination defines a new class of feed-forward loops (FFLs) in which the microRNA plays the role of master regulator. Using both deterministic and stochastic equations, we show that these FFLs are indeed able not only to fine-tune the TF/target ratio to any desired value as a function of the miRNA concentration but also, thanks to the peculiar topology of the circuit, to ensure the stability of this ratio against stochastic fluctuations. These two effects are due to the interplay between the direct transcriptional regulation and the indirect TF/Target interaction due to competition of TF and target for miRNA binding (the so called "sponge effect"). We then perform a genome wide search of these FFLs in the human regulatory network and show that they are characterized by a very peculiar enrichment pattern. In particular, they are strongly enriched in all the situations in which the TF and its target have to be precisely kept at the same concentration notwithstanding the environmental noise. As an example we discuss the FFL involving E2F1 as Transcription Factor, RB1 as target and miR-17 family as master regulator. These FFLs ensure a tight control of the E2F/RB ratio which in turns ensures the stability of the transition from the G0/G1 to the S phase in quiescent cells.

SUBMITTER: Riba A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3937125 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A combination of transcriptional and microRNA regulation improves the stability of the relative concentrations of target genes.

Riba Andrea A Bosia Carla C El Baroudi Mariama M Ollino Laura L Caselle Michele M

PLoS computational biology 20140227 2

It is well known that, under suitable conditions, microRNAs are able to fine tune the relative concentration of their targets to any desired value. We show that this function is particularly effective when one of the targets is a Transcription Factor (TF) which regulates the other targets. This combination defines a new class of feed-forward loops (FFLs) in which the microRNA plays the role of master regulator. Using both deterministic and stochastic equations, we show that these FFLs are indeed ...[more]

PMID: 24586138

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Project description:Squamous cell lung cancer (SCC) and adenocarcinoma are the most common subtypes of the lung tumours. The search for cancer-directed treatments has increased the need for understanding molecular features of either histological subtype. The aim of this study was to identify transcriptional regulation differences due to miRNA expression profiles between SCC and adenocarcinoma. For this propose, a total of 44 patients were evaluated to assess the correlation between the miRNA and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels. Total RNA were isolated, amplified, labeled and hybridized on Agilent human whole genome V2 22 K microarray chip. qRT-PCR was conducted to validate our microarray data. MicroRNA expression was detected and quantified using the TaqMan Low Density Arrays. Predicted miRNA-mRNA interactions were taken from miRanda, miRWalk and TargetScan. After processing data, changes in 56 mRNAs as well as in 9 miRNAs were detected between SCC and adenocarcinoma. Nearly 20% of overall deregulated genes were targeted by at least one of the 9 miRNAs (miR-149, miR-205, miR-375, miR-378, miR-422a, miR-483-5p, miR-494, miR-601 and miR-708) differentially expressed between SCC and adenocarcinoma. Genes predicted (CEACAM6, CGN, CLDN3, ABCC3, MLPH, ACSL5, TMEM45B, MUC1) to be targeted by several miRNAs were individually validated by qRT-PCR. We found genes involved in tight junctions and other involved in resistance to anticancer agents. These genes were reliable biomarkers, with high sensitivity and specificity, to detect differences between the two most common histological subtypes of lung cancer. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that the transcriptional regulation differences through miRNA expression play an important role in key hallmarks of non-small cell lung cancer. Identification of new molecular markers in lung carcinoma 44 tumour samples following surgical resection for clinical early stage NSCLC (SCC and adenocarcinoma) This series represents the mRNA profiling only (not miRNA). The related miRNA data are in Series GSE43000.

Dataset Information

A combination of transcriptional and microRNA regulation improves the stability of the relative concentrations of target genes.

Publications

A combination of transcriptional and microRNA regulation improves the stability of the relative concentrations of target genes.

Similar Datasets

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