MiR ‐520b promotes the progression of non‐small cell lung cancer through activating Hedgehog pathway

AbstractAlthough the non ‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most malignant tumours worldwide, the mechanisms controlling NSCLC tumourigenesis remain unclear. Here, we find that the expression of miR‐520b is up‐regulated in NSCLC samples. Further studies have revealed that miR‐520b promotes the proliferati on and metastasis of NSCLC cells. In addition, miR‐520b activates Hedgehog (Hh) pathway. Inhibitor of Hh pathway could relieve the oncogenic effect of miR‐520b upon NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that miR‐520b directly targetsSPOP 3 ′‐UTR and decreasesSPOP expression, culminating in GLI2/3 stabilization and Hh pathway hyperactivation. Collectively, our findings unveil that miR ‐520b promotes NSCLC tumourigenesis through SPOP‐GLI2/3 axis and provide miR‐520b as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for NSCLC.

Source: Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine - November 8, 2018 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Xiaoming Liu, Jichun Liu, Xuekang Zhang, Yuben Tong, Xin Gan Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research