The functional significance of miR-1 and miR-133a in renal cell carcinoma

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to find a novel molecular network involved in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) development through investigating the functions of miR-1 and miR-133a and their target genes. Methods We checked the expression levels of miR-1 and miR-133a in RCC cell lines and specimens ( N =40) using real time RT-PCR. MiR-1 and miR-133a transfectants were subjected to a gain-of-function study to identify the functions of the miRNAs. To find the target genes of the miRNAs, we analysed the gene expression profile of their transfectants and performed a luciferase reporter assay. mRNA expression levels of the candidate target gene in the clinical specimens were examined, and loss-of-function studies were performed. Results The expression levels of miR-1 and miR-133a were significantly suppressed in RCC cell lines and specimens. Ectopic restoration of miR-1 and miR-133a showed significant inhibition of cell proliferation and invasion, and moreover, revealed induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The luciferase assay revealed transgelin-2 (TAGLN2), selected as a target gene for miR-1 and miR-133a on the basis of the gene expression profile, to be directly regulated by both miR-1 and miR-133a. The loss-of-function studies showed significant inhibitions of cell proliferation and invasion in the si-TAGLN2 transfectant. The expression level of TAGLN2 mRNA was significantly up-regulated in the RCC specimens; in addition, there was a statistically significant inverse correlation between TAGLN2 and miR-1 and miR-133a expression. Conclusions Our data indicate that up-regulation of the oncogenic TAGLN2 was due to down-regulation of tumour-suppressive miR-1 and miR-133a in human RCC.