ZNF367 inhibits cancer progression and is targeted by miR-195

PLoS One. 2014 Jul 21;9(7):e101423. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101423. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Background: Several members of the zinc finger protein family have been recently shown to have a role in cancer initiation and progression. Zinc finger protein 367 (ZNF367) is a member of the zinc finger protein family and is expressed in embryonic or fetal erythroid tissue but is absent in normal adult tissue.

Methodology/principal findings: We show that ZNF367 is overexpressed in adrenocortical carcinoma, malignant pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma and thyroid cancer as compared to normal tissue and benign tumors. Using both functional knockdown and ectopic overexpression in multiple cell lines, we show that ZNF367 inhibits cellular proliferation, invasion, migration, and adhesion to extracellular proteins in vitro and in vivo. Integrated gene and microRNA expression analyses showed an inverse correlation between ZNF367 and miR-195 expression. Luciferase assays demonstrated that miR-195 directly regulates ZNF367 expression and that miR-195 regulates cellular invasion. Moreover, integrin alpha 3 (ITGA3) expression was regulated by ZNF367.

Conclusions/significance: Our findings taken together suggest that ZNF367 regulates cancer progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / genetics
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / pathology
  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma / genetics
  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma / metabolism
  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma / pathology
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Disease Progression
  • Endocrine Gland Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Endocrine Gland Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Endocrine Gland Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Pheochromocytoma / genetics
  • Pheochromocytoma / metabolism
  • Pheochromocytoma / pathology
  • Thyroid Gland / metabolism
  • Thyroid Gland / pathology
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / genetics
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • MIRN195 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • ZNF367 protein, human