Loss of miR-1469 expression mediates melanoma cell migration and invasion

PLoS One. 2021 Sep 1;16(9):e0256629. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256629. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Tumor ulceration is considered one of the most prognostically significant findings in primary cutaneous melanoma, associated with decreased disease-free and overall survival. However, the unique features associated with ulcerated melanoma that contribute to a poor prognosis in affected patients remain poorly defined. microRNAs are small, non-coding RNAs that function to inhibit expression of specific gene targets, therefore altering the functions of cells in which they are expressed. miR-1469 is a novel miR with significantly decreased expression in ulcerated melanoma tissue relative to non-ulcerated tumors. We hypothesized that loss of miR-1469 expression in melanoma contributes to altered tumor cell functions mediating disease progression. Transfection of a miR-1469 mimic resulted in a significant reduction in the migratory and invasive capacity of the CHL1 and MEL39 melanoma cell lines (>58.1% reduction, p < 0.0332), as well as the invasive capacity of the A375 melanoma cell line (>50% reduction, p < 0.0021). Expression of myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL1), a miR-1469 target gene, was reduced in the A375 and MEL39 cell lines by immunoblot. No significant differences in viability, resistance to apoptotic stimuli, or proliferation were observed following transfection. These findings together demonstrate how migration and invasion are specific functions through which miR-1469 expression in melanoma cells can contribute to the differences in disease progression associated with tumor ulceration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Biopsy
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Disease Progression
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / genetics*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • MicroRNAs / agonists
  • MicroRNAs / antagonists & inhibitors
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / prevention & control
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Ulcer / genetics*
  • Skin Ulcer / pathology

Substances

  • MCL1 protein, human
  • MIRN1469 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein