Abstract
Background: Tumour hypoxia is a major driver of prostate cancer
progression and metastasis. miR-21 is a microRNA which has been
previously linked to hypoxia, but this relationship remains poorly
characterised in a prostate cancer setting. Therefore, in this study,
we investigate the link between hypoxia and miR-21 in prostate
cancer cells.
Methods: We have used 2D and 3D cell prostate cell models of
hypoxia to investigate the functionality of miR-21. Expression levels
of miR-21 have been measured by qPCR and functional bioassays
used to examine its effect on prostate cell behaviour. Target genes
have been identified and bioinformatic analysis has been employed
to investigate a clinical significance for miR-21 in prostate cancer.
Results: miR-21 is induced by hypoxia in prostate cancer cell-lines.
Over-expression of miR-21 impacts upon target genes which in
turn affects cell behaviour. Data-mining of online repositories of
clinical data and bioinformatic analysis of miR-21 cellular networks
reveal that miR-21 exerts a wide influence on several important cell
processes, the dysregulation of which can lead to development of
prostate cancer.
Conclusions: We propose that miR-21 could be an important
microRNA in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer and has potential
as a biomarker in this disease.
progression and metastasis. miR-21 is a microRNA which has been
previously linked to hypoxia, but this relationship remains poorly
characterised in a prostate cancer setting. Therefore, in this study,
we investigate the link between hypoxia and miR-21 in prostate
cancer cells.
Methods: We have used 2D and 3D cell prostate cell models of
hypoxia to investigate the functionality of miR-21. Expression levels
of miR-21 have been measured by qPCR and functional bioassays
used to examine its effect on prostate cell behaviour. Target genes
have been identified and bioinformatic analysis has been employed
to investigate a clinical significance for miR-21 in prostate cancer.
Results: miR-21 is induced by hypoxia in prostate cancer cell-lines.
Over-expression of miR-21 impacts upon target genes which in
turn affects cell behaviour. Data-mining of online repositories of
clinical data and bioinformatic analysis of miR-21 cellular networks
reveal that miR-21 exerts a wide influence on several important cell
processes, the dysregulation of which can lead to development of
prostate cancer.
Conclusions: We propose that miR-21 could be an important
microRNA in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer and has potential
as a biomarker in this disease.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 66 |
| Journal | Ulster Medical Journal, The |
| Volume | 88 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - Jan 2019 |
