MiR-532-3p suppresses colorectal cancer progression by disrupting the ETS1/TGM2 axis-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Cell Death Dis. 2019 Sep 30;10(10):739. doi: 10.1038/s41419-019-1962-x.

Abstract

The expression panel of plasma microRNA defined miR-532-3p as a valuable biomarker for colorectal adenoma (CRA). However, its expression pattern and function in colorectal cancer (CRC) have remained unclear. The present study investigated the expression levels of miR-532-3p and found that it was in situ downregulated both in CRA and CRC. Moreover, it functioned as a sensitizer for chemotherapy in CRC by inducing cell cycle arrest and early apoptosis via its activating effects on p53 and apoptotic signaling pathways. In addition, miR-532-3p was found to restrain cell growth, metastasis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype of CRC. A study on the mechanism behind these effects revealed that miR-532-3p directly binds to 3'UTR regions of ETS1 and TGM2, ultimately repressing the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Further investigation showed that TGM2 was transcriptionally regulated by ETS1 and ETS1/TGM2 axis served as a vital functional target of miR-532-3p in suppressing CRC progression. To conclude, miR-532-3p mimics could act as potential candidate for molecular therapy in CRC through inactivation of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling and enhancement of chemosensitivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Cisplatin / pharmacology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Disease Progression
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2
  • Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1 / genetics*
  • Transglutaminases / genetics*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / genetics

Substances

  • ETS1 protein, human
  • MIRN532 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1
  • TGM2 protein, human
  • Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2
  • Transglutaminases
  • GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Cisplatin