MicroRNA-449a enhances radiosensitivity by downregulation of c-Myc in prostate cancer cells

Sci Rep. 2016 Jun 2:6:27346. doi: 10.1038/srep27346.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to be involved in DNA damage response induced by ionizing radiation (IR). c-Myc is reduced when cells treated with IR or other DNA damaging agents. It is unknown whether miRNAs participate in c-Myc downregulation in response to IR. In the present study, we found that miR-449a enhanced radiosensitivity in vitro and in vivo by targeting c-Myc in prostate cancer (LNCaP) cells. MiR-449a was upregulated and c-Myc was downregulated in response to IR in LNCaP cells. Overexpression of miR-449a or knockdown of c-Myc promoted the sensitivity of LNCaP cells to IR. By establishing c-Myc as a direct target of miR-449a, we revealed that miR-449a enhanced radiosensitivity by repressing c-Myc expression in LNCaP cells. Furthermore, we showed that miR-449a enhanced radiation-induced G2/M phase arrest by directly downregulating c-Myc, which controlled the Cdc2/CyclinB1 cell cycle signal by modulating Cdc25A. These results highlight an unrecognized mechanism of miR-449a-mediated c-Myc regulation in response to IR and may provide alternative therapeutic strategies for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / radiation effects
  • Cell Survival / radiation effects
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Down-Regulation*
  • Epithelial Cells / physiology
  • Epithelial Cells / radiation effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / biosynthesis*
  • Radiation Tolerance*

Substances

  • MIRN449 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc