Convergence of miR-143 overexpression, oxidative stress and cell death in HCT116 human colon cancer cells

PLoS One. 2018 Jan 23;13(1):e0191607. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191607. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate a wide variety of biological processes, including tumourigenesis. Altered miRNA expression is associated with deregulation of signalling pathways, which in turn cause abnormal cell growth and de-differentiation, contributing to cancer. miR-143 and miR-145 are anti-tumourigenic and influence the sensitivity of tumour cells to chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Comparative proteomic analysis was performed in HCT116 human colon cancer cells stably transduced with miR-143 or miR-145. Immunoblotting analysis validated the proteomic data in stable and transient miRNA overexpression conditions in human colon cancer cells. We show that approximately 100 proteins are differentially expressed in HCT116 human colon cancer cells stably transduced with miR-143 or miR-145 compared to Empty control cells. Further, Gene Ontology and pathway enrichment analysis indicated that proteins involved in specific cell signalling pathways such as cell death, response to oxidative stress, and protein folding might be modulated by these miRNAs. In particular, antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) was downregulated by stable expression of either miR-143 or miR-145. Further, SOD1 gain-of-function experiments rescued cells from miR-143-induced oxidative stress. Moreover, miR-143 overexpression increased oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis associated with reactive oxygen species generation, which was abrogated by genetic and pharmacological inhibition of oxidative stress. Overall, miR-143 might circumvent resistance of colon cancer cells to oxaliplatin via increased oxidative stress in HCT116 human colon cancer cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Cell Death*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Colonic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Colonic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Gene Expression
  • HCT116 Cells
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Oxidative Stress*
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1 / genetics

Substances

  • MIRN143 microRNA, human
  • MIRN145 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • SOD1 protein, human
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Programme grant SAICTPAC/0019/2015 funded by European Structural and Investment Funds through the COMPETE Programme and by National Funds through Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, http://www.fct.pt) (CMPR), iMed.ULisboa funded by FCT (UID/DTP/04138/2013) (CR), UCIBIO funded by FCT (UID/Multi/04378/2013) (ARF) and co-funded by FEDER under PT2020 Partnership Agreement POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007728, and fellowships SFRH/BD/88619/2012 (SEG) and SFRH/BD/96517/2013 (DMP) from FCT. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.