Project description:To screen the microRNA regulated by Twist1 and Bmi1 Establish stable transfectants of pSUPER-sh-Twist1 or pSUPER-sh-Bmi1 in OECM1 cells and analyze the miRNA expression level of by microRNA microarray. OECM1 transfected with pSUPER-sh-scr was used as a control experiment.
Project description:Expression of HIF-1a or Twist1 or Bmi1 in human hypopharyngeal cancer cell line FADU results in the drift of transcriptome profile from an epithelial cell-like signature to a mesenchymal stem cell-like signature. Stable transfection of pHA-HIF1a(dODD), pFLAG-Twist1 or pcDNA3-Bmi1 in FADU cell and analyzed the transcriptome by cDNA microarray. FADU transfected with pcDNA3.1 empty vector was used as a control of experiment.
Project description:Expression of HIF-1a or Twist1 or Bmi1 in human hypopharyngeal cancer cell line FADU results in the drift of transcriptome profile from an epithelial cell-like signature to a mesenchymal stem cell-like signature.
Project description:Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a dynamic process that relies on cellular plasticity; an EMT/MET axis is critical for metastatic colonization of carcinomas. Unlike epithelial programming, regulation of mesenchymal programming is not well understood in EMT. Here we describe the first microRNA that enhances exclusively mesenchymal programming. We demonstrate that microRNA-424 is up-regulated early during a TWIST1/SNAI1-induced EMT, and that it causes cells to express mesenchymal genes without affecting epithelial genes, resulting in a mixed/intermediate EMT. Further, microRNA-424 increases motility, decreases adhesion and induces a growth arrest, changes associated with a complete EMT. Patient microRNA-424 levels positively associate with TWIST1/2 and EMT-like gene signatures and is increased in primary tumors versus matched normal breast. However, microRNA-424 is down-regulated in metastases versus matched primary tumors. Correspondingly, microRNA-424 decreases tumor initiation and is post-transcriptionally down-regulated in macrometastases in mice. RNA-seq identified microRNA-424 regulates numerous genes associated with EMT and breast cancer stemness including the novel miR-424 target, TGFBR3, which regulates mesenchymal phenotypes without influencing miR-424 effects on tumor-initiating phenotypes; instead, we show that ERK signaling is critical for such tumor-initiating effects of miR-424. These findings suggest microRNA-424 plays distinct roles downstream of EMT-inducing factors, facilitating earlier stages, but repressing later stages, of metastasis.
Project description:Primary human gastric cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) cultures (CAF14 and CAF32) were establised from 2 gastrectomy specimens. Silencing the expression (loss-of-function effect) of Twist1 in CAFs showed candidate target genes regulated by Twist1 and abrogated their tumor-promoting properties.
Project description:Primary human gastric cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) cultures (CAF14 and CAF32) were establised from 2 gastrectomy specimens. Silencing the expression (loss-of-function effect) of Twist1 in CAFs showed candidate target genes regulated by Twist1 and abrogated their tumor-promoting properties. Experiment design: two gastric CAFs (CAF14 adn CAF32, respectively) were establised from two gastric cancer patients and Twist1 knockdown studies were performed using shRNA.
Project description:Bmi1 plays a pivotal role in hepatic carcinoma (HCC), but its targets in HCC is unknown. To screen the potential targets, we transfected HCC cell line Huh7 and Hep3B with Bmi1 shRNA lenti-virus. After confirming the Bmi1 was knocked down using western blotting, we extracted total RNA and then run the microarray detection. Gene expression profiles in Bmi1 KO cells were compared with those in Bmi1 WT cells to screen potential targets of Bmi1.