MicroRNA-381 is a significant factor in several diseases, including cancer. The study aims to understand the role of it in bladder cancer growth.
The population of this study is 28 patients with primary bladder cancer. The researchers collected cancer and normal tissues from the individuals. Via miRNA microarrays, the team analyzed the miRNA in the cancer tissues. The study also calculated the miR-381 expression in paired tumor tissues and bladder tumor tissues, and in normal and cancer cell lines. The luciferase assay helped to predict and validate the relationship between BMI1 and miR-381. Gain-of-functions of BMI1 and miR-381 helped to study the function of it on cancer cell growth and behavior, including the role of Rho/ROCK signaling.
In bladder cancer tissues and cells, the miR-381 had poor regulation. A higher level indicated a better cancer prognosis. Artificial up-regulation reduces migration, proliferation, invasion, apoptosis resistance, and tumor formation of RT4 and T24 cells. MiR-381 was directly bound to BmI1 and had a negative correlation with BMI1. BMI1 blocked (partially) the miR-381’s tumor suppression role. miR-381 also decreased ROCK2 activation and RhoA phosphorylation. It is reversible by BMI1. Artificial Rho/ROCK signaling inhibition blocks the BMI1 function in metastasis and cell growth.
The study proved that miR-381 is a beneficiary bladder cancer biomarker. MiR-381 up-regulation can suppress bladder cancer growth.
Ref: https://bmcurol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12894-020-00775-3
