MicroRNA-520g induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and promotes metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting SMAD7

FEBS Lett. 2015 Jan 2;589(1):102-9. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.11.031. Epub 2014 Nov 29.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Aberrant expression of miRNAs contributes to HCC development. Here, we observed elevated miR-520g expression in tumor samples from HCC patients with relapse and metastasis, and this high miR-520g expression was correlated with poor survival. Through gain- and loss-of-function studies, miR-520g was demonstrated to facilitate HCC cell migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). SMAD7 was identified as a direct target of miR-520g. Accordingly, we conclude that high miR-520g expression promotes HCC cell mobility and EMT by targeting SMAD7, and this is correlated with reduced survival in HCC patients.

Keywords: Cancer metastasis; Epithelial–mesenchymal transition; Hepatocellular carcinoma; MicroRNA-520g; SMAD family member 7.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Retracted Publication

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition*
  • Female
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Liver Neoplasms / mortality
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • RNA, Neoplasm / metabolism*
  • Smad7 Protein / genetics
  • Smad7 Protein / metabolism*
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • MIRN520 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RNA, Neoplasm
  • SMAD7 protein, human
  • Smad7 Protein