Epigenetic regulation of AURKA by miR-4715-3p in upper gastrointestinal cancers

Sci Rep. 2019 Nov 18;9(1):16970. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-53174-6.

Abstract

Aurora kinase A (AURKA) is frequently overexpressed in several cancers. miRNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis indicated significant downregulation of miR-4715-3p. We found that miR-4715-3p has putative binding sites on the 3UTR region of AURKA. Upper gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma (UGC) tissue samples and cell models demonstrated significant overexpression of AURKA with downregulation of miR-4715-3p. Luciferase reporter assays confirmed binding of miR-4715-3p on the 3UTR region of AURKA. miR-4715-3p mediated a reduction in AURKA levels leading to G2/M delay, chromosomal polyploidy, and cell death. We also detected a remarkable decrease in GPX4, an inhibitor of ferroptosis, with an increase in cleaved PARP and caspase-3. Inhibition of AURKA using siRNA produced similar results, suggesting a possible link between AURKA and GPX4. Analysis of UGC samples and cell models demonstrated increased methylation levels of several CpG nucleotides upstream of miR-4715-3p. 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine induced demethylation of several CpG nucleotides, restoring miR-4715-3p expression, leading to downregulation of AURKA. In conclusion, our data identified a novel epigenetic mechanism mediating silencing of miR-4715-3p and induction of AURKA in UGCs. Inhibition of AURKA or reconstitution of miR-4715-3p inhibited GPX4 and induced cell death, suggesting a link between AURKA and ferroptosis.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Aurora Kinase A / genetics*
  • Cisplatin / pharmacology
  • DNA Methylation
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase / genetics
  • Polyploidy
  • Stomach Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Stomach Neoplasms / genetics
  • Stomach Neoplasms / mortality
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology
  • Upper Gastrointestinal Tract

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • MicroRNAs
  • Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase
  • AURKA protein, human
  • Aurora Kinase A
  • Cisplatin