miR-500a-5p regulates oxidative stress response genes in breast cancer and predicts cancer survival

Sci Rep. 2017 Nov 21;7(1):15966. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-16226-3.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory non-coding RNAs with a diversity of cellular functions, and are frequently dysregulated in cancer. Using a novel computational method (ActMir) that we recently developed, the "activity" of miRNA hsa-miR-500a was implicated in estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer; however its targets and functional impact remain poorly understood. Here, we performed an extensive gene expression analysis in ER+ breast cancer cell lines, to reveal the targets of miR-500a-5p after experimental modulation of its levels. We found that among mRNAs targeted by miR-500a-5p there was enrichment in oxidative stress response genes. Moreover, in vitro exposure to oxidative stress using H2O2 induces miR-500a-5p overexpression and downregulation of the oxidative stress targets TXNRD1 and NFE2L2. Finally, expression of several of the identified miR-500a-5p targets related to oxidative stress, including TXNRD1, was associated with ER+ breast cancer survival in multiple datasets. Overall, we identify miR-500a-5p as an oxidative stress response miRNA whose activity may define breast cancer progression and survival.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Genome, Human
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Oxidative Stress / genetics*
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism
  • Survival Analysis
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • MIRN500 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Receptors, Estrogen