miR-148a, miR-152 and miR-200b promote prostate cancer metastasis by targeting DNMT1 and PTEN expression


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Gurbuz V., Sozen S., Bilen C. Y., Konaç E.

ONCOLOGY LETTERS, vol.22, no.5, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 22 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.3892/ol.2021.13066
  • Journal Name: ONCOLOGY LETTERS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, EMBASE
  • Keywords: prostate cancer, epigenetics, metastasis, epigenetic-based miRNAs, DNMT, PTEN, NKX3, TUMOR-SUPPRESSOR, DNA METHYLTRANSFERASE, CELL-PROLIFERATION, CIRCULATING MIRNAS, PROTEIN EXPRESSION, CARCINOMA, BIOMARKERS, MICRORNAS, APOPTOSIS, GENE
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRs) modulate the expression of target genes in the signal pathway on transcriptome level. The present study investigated the 'epigenetic-based miRNA (epi-miRNA)-mRNA' regulatory network of miR-34b, miR-34c, miR-148a, miR-152, miR-200a and miR-200b epi-miRNAs and their target genes, DNA methyltransferase (DNMT1, 3a and 3b), phosphate and tensin homolog (PTEN) and NK3 Homeobox 1 (NKX3.1), in prostate cancer (PCa) using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The expression level of NKX3.1 were not significantly different between the PCa, Met-PCa and control groups. However, in the PCa and Met-PCa groups, the expression level of DNMT1 was upregulated, while DNMT3a, DNMT3b and PTEN were downregulated. Overexpression of DNMT1 (similar to 5 and similar to 6-fold increase in the PCa and Met-PCa groups respectively) was accompanied by a decreased expression in PTEN, indicating a potential negative association. Both groups indicated that a high level of DNMT1 is associated with the aggressiveness of cancer, and there is a a directly proportional relationship between this gene and PSA, GS and TNM staging. A significant similar to 2 to similar to 5-fold decrease in the expression levels of DNMT3a and DNMT3b was found in both groups. In the PCa group, significant associations were identified between miR-34b and DNMT1/DNMT3b; between miR-34c/miR-148a and all target genes; between miR-152 and DNMT1/DNMT3b and PTEN; and between miR-200a/b and DNMT1. In the Met-PCa group, miR-148a, miR-152 and miR-200b exhibited a significant association with all target genes. A significant negative association was identified between PTEN and DNMT1 in the Met-PCa group. It was also revealed that that miR-148a, miR-152 and miR-200b increased the expression of DNMT1 and suppressed PTEN. Furthermore, the 'epi-miRNA-mRNA' bidirectional feedback loop was emphasised and the methylation pattern in PCa anti-cancer therapeutics was highlighted.