MiR-128 up-regulation inhibits Reelin and DCX expression and reduces neuroblastoma cell motility and invasiveness

FASEB J. 2009 Dec;23(12):4276-87. doi: 10.1096/fj.09-134965. Epub 2009 Aug 27.

Abstract

MicroRNAs are a class of sophisticated regulators of gene expression, acting as post-transcriptional inhibitors that recognize their target mRNAs through base pairing with short regions along the 3'UTRs. Several microRNAs are tissue specific, suggesting a specialized role in tissue differentiation or maintenance, and quite a few are critically involved in tumorigenesis. We studied miR-128, a brain-enriched microRNA, in retinoic acid-differentiated neuroblastoma cells, and we found that this microRNA is up-regulated in treated cells, where it down-modulates the expression of two proteins involved in the migratory potential of neural cells: Reelin and DCX. Consistently, miR-128 ectopic overexpression suppressed Reelin and DCX, whereas the LNA antisense-mediated miR-128 knockdown caused the two proteins to increase. Ectopic miR-128 overexpression reduced neuroblastoma cell motility and invasiveness, and impaired cell growth. Finally, the analysis of a small series of primary human neuroblastomas showed an association between high levels of miR-128 expression and favorable features, such as favorable Shimada category or very young age at diagnosis. Thus, we provide evidence for a role for miR-128 in the molecular events modulating neuroblastoma progression and aggressiveness.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Doublecortin Domain Proteins
  • Doublecortin Protein
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / genetics
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neuroblastoma / drug therapy*
  • Neuroblastoma / metabolism
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Neuropeptides / genetics
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism*
  • Reelin Protein
  • Serine Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Serine Endopeptidases / metabolism*
  • Tretinoin / pharmacology

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • DCX protein, human
  • Doublecortin Domain Proteins
  • Doublecortin Protein
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • MIRN128 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neuropeptides
  • Reelin Protein
  • Tretinoin
  • RELN protein, human
  • Serine Endopeptidases