Abstract
BackgroundRecent studies observed that altered energy metabolism has become widespread in cancer cells along with other cancer-associated traits that have been accepted as hallmarks of cancer. Akt signaling pathway is involved in the aerobic glycolysis program. However, mechanisms underlying the regulation of aerobic glycolysis and Akt activity in gliomas remain unclear. MicroRNAs are a group of small non-coding RNAs that can function as endogenous RNA interference to regulate expression of targeted genes. This study was conducted to detect the function of miR-7 targeting insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R), which is an upstream regulator of Akt.MethodsMicroRNA expression data for gliomas and normal controls were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the microRNA-7 (miR-7) expression level, and Western blot was performed to detect protein expression in U87 and U251 cells. Colony formation assay and glycolysis stress test were also conducted. Luciferase reporter assay was used to identify the mechanism of IGF-1R and miR-7 regulation.ResultsmiR-7 was downregulated in human glioma tissues based on TCGA database. Forced expression of miR-7 or IGF-1R knockdown inhibited colony formation and glucose metabolic capabilities of glioma cells in vitro and decreased the p-Akt expression level. Bioinformatics analysis results indicated that IGF-1R could be a target of miR-7. Western blot and luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-7 modulated IGF-1R expression by directly targeting the binding site within the 3′-untranslated region.ConclusionsThis study provides the first evidence that miR-7 inhibits cellular growth and glucose metabolism in gliomas, at least partially, by regulating the IGF-1R/Akt signaling pathway. Therefore, miR-7 is a promising molecular drug for glioma treatment.Virtual SlidesThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/13000_2014_211
Highlights
Recent studies observed that altered energy metabolism has become widespread in cancer cells along with other cancer-associated traits that have been accepted as hallmarks of cancer
We confirmed that miR-7 served a critical function in cellular growth and metabolism by directly targeting insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R), which is an upstream regulator of Akt [18,19]
We examined the mechanisms underlying the loss of IGF-1R-inhibited cellular growth and metabolism through the Akt pathway in glioma cells
Summary
Recent studies observed that altered energy metabolism has become widespread in cancer cells along with other cancer-associated traits that have been accepted as hallmarks of cancer. The fatal nature of malignant gliomas is ascribed to their extensive cell proliferation, intense resistance to cell apoptosis, and widespread infiltration throughout the brain Despite multimodal therapies, such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, the Altered energy metabolism is widespread in cancer cells along with other cancer-associated traits that have been accepted as hallmarks of cancer [2]. Even in the presence of oxygen, cancer cells can reprogram their glucose metabolism and energy production by limiting their energy metabolism to glycolysis. Akt hyperactivity can increase mTORC1 activity, thereby increasing HIF1α abundance and expression of HIF1αassociated glycolytic enzyme and Glc transporter [7]
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