The miR-183 family cluster alters zinc homeostasis in benign prostate cells, organoids and prostate cancer xenografts

Sci Rep. 2017 Aug 9;7(1):7704. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-07979-y.

Abstract

The miR-183 cluster, which is comprised of paralogous miRs-183, -96 and -182, is overexpressed in many cancers, including prostate adenocarcinoma (PCa). Prior studies showed that overexpression of individual pre-miRs-182, -96 and -183 in prostate cells decreased zinc import, which is a characteristic feature of PCa tumours. Zinc is concentrated in healthy prostate 10-fold higher than any other tissue, and an >80% decrease in zinc is observed in PCa specimens. Here, we studied the effect of overexpression of the entire 4.8 kb miR-183 family cluster, including the intergenic region which contains highly conserved genomic regions, in prostate cells. This resulted in overexpression of mature miR-183 family miRs at levels that mimic cancer-related changes. Overexpression of the miR-183 cluster reduced zinc transporter and intracellular zinc levels in benign prostate cells, PCa xenografts and fresh prostate epithelial organoids. Microarray analysis of miR-183 family cluster overexpression in prostate cells showed an enrichment for cancer-related pathways including adhesion, migration and wound healing. An active secondary transcription start site was identified within the intergenic region of the miR-183 cluster, which may regulate expression of miR-182. Taken together, this study shows that physiologically relevant expression of the miR-183 family regulates zinc levels and carcinogenic pathways in prostate cells.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cation Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Heterografts
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Multigene Family*
  • Organoids
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Tumor Burden
  • Zinc / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • MIRN183 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • SLC39A1 protein, human
  • Zinc