Project description:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in cell differentiation and self-renewal controlling post-transcriptional processing of mRNAs and attenuating production of the encoded proteins. Here, we unveil a novel oncogenic pathway leading to activation of STAT3 signaling through miRNA-mediated silencing of the E3 ubiquitin ligase COP1. miRNA profiling showed that miR-424 was upregulated in prostate cancer compared to normal prostate and specifically associated with reduced level of the ETS factor ESE3/EHF in an aggressive subgroup of tumors. MiR-424 was significantly elevated also in other epithelial cancers and amplified in 1-3% of various cancers. In normal prostate epithelial cells miR-424 was repressed by ESE3/EHF and when upregulated promoted oncogenic and cancer stem cell (CSC) properties. Conversely, ablation of miR-424 in metastatic prostate cancer cells reduced CSC self-renewal and prevented in vivo tumour initiation and metastatic spread. miR-424 targeted the 3' UTR of COP1 mRNA and reduced COP1 protein level. COP1 induced STAT3 ubiquitylation and degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Therefore, reduced levels of COP1 in prostate cancer cells, resulted in accumulation and increased STAT3 signaling. COP1 knockdown and over-expression phenocopied the effects of miR-424 deregulation on oncogenic phenotypes and STAT3 signalling, while STAT3 knockdown prevented the transforming effects of miR-424. Consistently, expression of EHF/ESE3 and RFWD2/COP1 were highly correlated in human prostate cancers and other epithelial tumors. Furthermore, miR-424 induced genes were enriched of STAT3 targets, converged with those induced by COP1 loss in mouse embryos and were associated with adverse prognosis in prostate and other epithelial cancers. In primary prostate tumours, low COP1 and high STAT3 protein level were also significantly associated and predictive of biochemical relapse. Collectively, this study reveals a novel miRNA-activated oncogenic axis in prostate cancer. Targeting miR-424 or miR-424 dependent pathways may represent a unique approach to attack a key node in tumorigenesis.
Project description:Prostate cancer (PCa) tends to be more aggressive and lethal in African Americans (AA) compared to European Americans (EA). To further understand the thebiological risk factors associated with PCa disparities observed in AA and EA patients, we performed microRNA profiling using Agilent Human miRNA arrays to identify the differentially expressed microRNAs beween: 1) AA and EA PCa patients; 2) AA PCa vs. AA normal; and 3) EA PCa vs. EA normal. 54 prostate biopsy specimens (tumor and adjacent normal tissues) were collected from 14 African American and 13 European American prostate cancer patients. 54 RNA samples, purified from the collected biopy specimens using Qiagen miRNeasy kit, were process and applied to Agilent human miRNA arrays. Array data was normalized and analyzed using Agilent GeneSpring program.
Project description:We investigated the relative miRNA levels in primary prostate cancer samples from patients that had a subsequent recurrence event versus patients that did not. For one of the top miRNAs arising from this analysis, miR-33a, we carried out further investigation, including miRNA levels in normal and tumor prostate samples as well as PCa cell lines. Then, we performed a detailed functional analysis of mir-33a in LNCaP and VCaP PCa cells and evaluated proliferative, invasive and anchorage independent growth potential of cells upon overexpression and knockdown of miR-33a.
Project description:miRNAs have been proven to be very useful biomarkers, readily detectable in body fluids, particularly urine may be a valuable source to identify changes in miRNA levels that contribute to better differentiate prostate cancer (PCa) from benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) cases. In order to characterize microRNA expression in urine samples from PCa, we analyzed expression of 376 microRNAs in 9 samples of PCa and 9 of BPH. The Normalized Ct values were compared between PCa and BPH. Statistical comparisons were made using Mann-Whitney U test, considering two different distributions. We found statiscally differences n expression for 21 miRNAs (Fold change >2 and P value<0.05).
Project description:Prostate cancer tissue samples containing at least 70% of neoplastic cells were obtained from patients (age range: 50–75 years) who had undergone radical prostatectomy at the Hospital of Biella (Italy) and prostate biopsies were obtained from healthy patients of the same age range, without any diagnosis of prostate tumor or BPH. Gene expression profiling was performed using Human Gene Expression 8 × 60K Microarray, Agilent Technologies.
Project description:Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignant carcinoma that develops in men in Western countries. Up to 30% of patients continue to suffer from disease progression following radical prostatectomy. Therefore, better prognostic markers and molecular targets for cancer treatment are needed. MicroRNA (miRNA) has the potential to be used as biomarkers and as a therapeutic target for the treatment of various cancers, including PCa. Here, to determine how miRNA is involved in PCa progression, we investigated the miRNA expression profiles of 3 PCa cell lines, namely PC3, DU145, and LNCaP, and 2 normal prostate cell lines, namely RWPE-1 and PrSc, using miRNA microarrays.
Project description:Prostate cancer (PCa) tends to be more aggressive and lethal in African Americans (AA) compared to European Americans (EA). To further understand the thebiological risk factors associated with PCa disparities observed in AA and EA patients, we performed microRNA profiling using Agilent Human miRNA arrays to identify the differentially expressed microRNAs beween: 1) AA and EA PCa patients; 2) AA PCa vs. AA normal; and 3) EA PCa vs. EA normal.
Project description:Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignant carcinoma that develops in men in Western countries. Up to 30% of patients continue to suffer from disease progression following radical prostatectomy. Therefore, better prognostic markers and molecular targets for cancer treatment are needed. MicroRNA (miRNA) has the potential to be used as biomarkers and as a therapeutic target for the treatment of various cancers, including PCa. Here, to determine how miRNA is involved in PCa progression, we investigated the miRNA expression profiles of 3 PCa cell lines, namely PC3, DU145, and LNCaP, and 2 normal prostate cell lines, namely RWPE-1 and PrSc, using miRNA microarrays. We investigated miRNA genes that were significantly upregulated in PCa cell lines (PC3, DU145, LNCaP) compared with normal cell lines (RWPE-1, PrSc).
Project description:The purpose of this study are: - To identify new biomarkers specific for prostate cancer (PCa) that can be used as diagnostic markers in the urine of individuals with high probability of PCa (abnormal PSA and/or digital rectal examination). - To validate the utility of these new biomarkers, as well as others already known such as PCA3, fusion gene TMPRSS2-ERG, GOLPH2 and SPINK1. - To establish a prediction model for the diagnosis of PCa based on the expression of these biomarkers. - To validate this model within the framework of an opportunist programme of early diagnosis. - Within the framework of this programme, to associate a series of social-demographic, antropometric, life-style and occupational variables for establishing a risk model predictor that could be associated with the model based on the biomarkers. Methodology: The study is divided in three phases based on three different cohorts of patients: -Phase 1. Identification of biomarkers. This phase includes 60 patients (10 normal prostates and 50 PCa). Form these tumors a screening of miRNAs will be performed. -Phase 2. Validation of the new biomarkers and others already known by means qRT-PCR on urine samples from 300 patients (200 with histological diagnosis of PCa and 100 with an histological negative result). -Phase 3. Prospective validation in a prospective cohort iof 1065 patients included in an opportunist programme of early detection of PCa.