Micro(mi)RNAs are small noncoding RNAs that orchestrate many key aspects of cell physiology and their deregulation is often linked to distinct diseases including cancer. Here, we studied the contribution of miRNAs in a well-characterized human myeloid leukemia, acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), targeted by retinoic acid and trioxide arsenic therapy. We identified several miRNAs transcriptionally repressed by the APL-associated PML-RAR oncogene which are released after treatment with all-trans retinoic acid. These coregulated miRNAs were found to control, in a coordinated manner, crucial pathways linked to leukemogenesis, such as HOX proteins and cell adhesion molecules whose expressions are thereby repressed by the chemotherapy. Thus, APL appears linked to transcriptional perturbation of miRNA genes, and clinical protocols able to successfully eradicate cancer cells may do so by restoring miRNA expression. The identification of abnormal miRNA biogenesis in cancer may therefore provide novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in myeloid leukemias.
Transcriptional repression of microRNA genes by PML-RARA increases expression of key cancer proteins in acute promyelocytic leukemia
Saumet, A.; Vetter, G.; Bouttier, M.; Portales-Casamar, E.; Wasserman, W. W.; Maurin, T.; Mari, B.; Barbry, P.; Vallar, L.; Friederich, E.; Arar, K.; Cassinat, B.; Chomienne, C.; Lecellier, C. H.
2009
Blood
2009-01-08 / vol 113 / pages 412-21
Abstract
blood-2008-05-158139 [pii] 10.1182/blood-2008-05-158139
1528-0020 (Electronic)
Étiquettes
Cell Line, Tumor; Humans; *Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic/drug effects; *Transcription, Genetic/drug effects; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use; Arsenic/therapeutic use; Cell Adhesion Molecules/biosynthesis/genetics; Homeodomain Proteins/biosynthesis/genetics; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/drug therapy/genetics/*metabolism; MicroRNAs/*biosynthesis/genetics; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics/*metabolism; RNA, Neoplasm/*biosynthesis/genetics; Tretinoin/therapeutic use; Tumor Markers, Biological/*biosynthesis/genetics