Reactivation of epigenetically silenced miR-512 and miR-373 sensitizes lung cancer cells to cisplatin and restricts tumor growth

Cell Death Differ. 2015 Aug;22(8):1328-40. doi: 10.1038/cdd.2014.221. Epub 2015 Jan 16.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRs) regulate a variety of cellular processes, and their impaired expression is involved in cancer. Silencing of tumor-suppressive miRs in cancer can occur through epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and histone deacetylation. We performed comparative miR profiling on cultured lung cancer cells before and after treatment with 5'aza-deoxycytidine plus Trichostatin A to reverse DNA methylation and histone deacetylation, respectively. Several tens of miRs were strongly induced by such 'epigenetic therapy'. Two representatives, miR-512-5p (miR-512) and miR-373, were selected for further analysis. Both miRs were secreted in exosomes. Re-expression of both miRs augmented cisplatin-induced apoptosis and inhibited cell migration; miR-512 also reduced cell proliferation. TEAD4 mRNA was confirmed as a direct target of miR-512; likewise, miR-373 was found to target RelA and PIK3CA mRNA directly. Our results imply that miR-512 and miR-373 exert cell-autonomous and non-autonomous tumor-suppressive effects in lung cancer cells, where their re-expression may benefit epigenetic cancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Cisplatin / pharmacology
  • DNA Methylation / drug effects
  • DNA Methylation / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / drug effects
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / genetics
  • HCT116 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydroxamic Acids / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Muscle Proteins / genetics
  • Muscle Proteins / metabolism
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / genetics
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • TEA Domain Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factor RelA / genetics
  • Transcription Factor RelA / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Hydroxamic Acids
  • MIRN373 microRNA, human
  • MIRN512 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Muscle Proteins
  • TEA Domain Transcription Factors
  • TEAD4 protein, human
  • Transcription Factor RelA
  • Transcription Factors
  • trichostatin A
  • Cisplatin