FHIT suppresses epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis in lung cancer through modulation of microRNAs

PLoS Genet. 2014 Oct 23;10(10):e1004652. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004652. eCollection 2014 Oct.

Abstract

Metastasis is the principal cause of cancer death and occurs through multiple, complex processes that involve the concerted action of many genes. A number of studies have indicated that the Fragile Histidine Triad (FHIT) gene product, FHIT, functions as a tumor suppressor in a variety of common human cancers. Although there are suggestions of a role for FHIT loss in progression of various cancers, a role for such loss in metastasis has not been defined. Here, via in vivo and in vitro assays, we reveal that the enforced expression of FHIT significantly suppresses metastasis, accompanied by inhibition of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process involved in metastasis through coordinate modulation of EMT-related genes. Specifically, miR-30c, a FHIT-upregulated microRNA, contributes to FHIT function in suppression of EMT and metastasis by directly targeting metastasis genes Metadherin (MTDH), High-mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2), and the mesenchymal markers, Vimentin (VIM) and Fibronectin (FN1), in human lung cancer. Finally, we demonstrate that the expression pattern of FHIT and miR-30c is inversely correlated with that of MTDH and HMGA2 in normal tissue, non-metastatic and metastatic tumors, serving as a potential biomarker for metastasis in lung cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acid Anhydride Hydrolases / biosynthesis
  • Acid Anhydride Hydrolases / genetics*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics*
  • Fibronectins / biosynthesis
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • HMGA2 Protein / biosynthesis
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Membrane Proteins
  • MicroRNAs / biosynthesis
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Vimentin / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Fibronectins
  • HMGA2 Protein
  • MIRN30b microRNA, human
  • MTDH protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • MicroRNAs
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Vimentin
  • fragile histidine triad protein
  • Acid Anhydride Hydrolases