DCIS-Specific MicroRNA in Cancer Stem Cell
Abstract
More than 20% of breast cancer patients detected by mammography are DCIS and this number keeps on increasing (1). Although DCIS is a non-invasive benign tumor, it is considered a precursor of malignant cancer. Therefore, understanding the molecular changes from normal cell to DCIS is of paramount importance and it is under intensive study. However, the exact mechanism of normal-DCIS transition is still not well understood. The purpose of this project is to identify specific microRNAs in tumor stem cells that are responsible for the formation of DCIS. The results of our microRNA array analysis for CSCs from normal and DCIS cells revealed that the expression of a series of microRNA are changed during the transition from normal to DCIS in CSCs. Particularly, we found that miR29a and miR29c function as suppressors of DCIS by blocking the expression of SREBP1, suggesting that modulation of these microRNAs in CSCs triggers the initiation of DCIS. Because the major target of miR29a and miR29c is SREBP, it is possible that this gene can be a potential candidate as a preventive drug for DCIS. Alternatively, the expression of miR29a and miR29C can be restored by a small molecule. It would be ideal if this can be accomplished with specific nutrition. However, this requires further investigation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA554452
Entities
People
- Kounosuke Watabe
Organizations
- Southern Illinois University