MicroRNA-101-mediated Akt activation and estrogen-independent growth

Oncogene. 2011 Feb 17;30(7):822-31. doi: 10.1038/onc.2010.463. Epub 2010 Oct 18.

Abstract

MicroRNAs are gene regulators that work through a posttranscriptional repression mechanism. Dysregulation of microRNA expression could lead to a variety of disorders, in particular, human cancer, and has also been implicated in antihormone therapy resistance. However, little is known whether microRNAs have a role in estrogen-independent growth, leading to tamoxifen resistance in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive tumors. In this study, we use an in vivo selection system against a microRNA library using the MCF-7 model and demonstrate that miR-101 promotes estrogen-independent growth and causes the upregulation of phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) without impacting the ER level or activity. Importantly, although miR-101 suppresses cell growth in normal estradiol (E2)-containing medium, it promotes cell growth in E2-free medium. Moreover, estrogen deprivation greatly enhances miR-101-mediated Akt activation. Finally, we show that MAGI-2 (membrane-associated guanylate kinase), a scaffold protein required for PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) activity, is a direct target for miR-101; suppression of MAGI-2 by miR-101 reduces PTEN activity, leading to Akt activation. Taken together, these results not only establish a role for miR-101 in estrogen-independent signaling but also provide a mechanistic link between miR-101 and Akt activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy
  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / pharmacology
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Estrogens / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Guanylate Kinases
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism
  • Tamoxifen / pharmacology
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Estrogens
  • MIRN101 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Tamoxifen
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Guanylate Kinases
  • MAGI2 protein, human
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase
  • PTEN protein, human