MiR-4666-3p and miR-329 Synergistically Suppress the Stemness of Colorectal Cancer Cells via Targeting TGF-?/Smad Pathway.

ABSTRACT: Quiescent caner stem cells are identified as a subpopulation of colon cancer cells in dormant state and possess strong stem-cell like characteristics. Previously, we have identified this subpopulation in colorectal cancer (quiescent colon cancer stem cells, QCCSCs), and find QCCSCs are sensitive to the apoptotic effect of IFN-?, which is attributed to their high IFN-?R expression levels. Microarray and bioinformatic analysis indicate miR-4666-3p is low expressed in QCCSCs and target IFN-?R1/2, which is proved by luciferase assay and western-blot. Furthermore, we find miR-4666-3p could also target TGF-?R1 to block the activation of TGF-?1/Smad pathway, therefore function as a tumor suppressor gene to inhibit the stemness of colon cancer cells. Besides, compared with QCCSCs, we find the TGF-?1 expression also decreased with the weakening of stemness properties. In terms of mechanism, our result reveal TGF-?1 is the target gene of miR-329, which is also high expressed in non-QCCSCs. Thereafter, we perform gain- and loss- function experiments to confirm the synergistic effect between miR-4666-3p and miR-329 in blocking the activation of TGF-?/Smad pathway. Finally, we evaluate the expression of both miR-4666-3p and miR-329 in 73 tumor specimens and paired normal tissue, and find both two miRNAs are related to unfavorable prognosis and advanced tumor stage in colorectal cancer. Our study revealed a novel epigenetic regulation mechanism in colon cancer stem cells, which could be exploited as a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.

SUBMITTER: Ye J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6880832 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature