Sirna-targeting of the adult progenitor cell marker Musashi-1 leads to a modulation of cell cycle progression and apoptosis in endometrial carcinoma cells

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Adult stem cells are thought to be responsible for the high regenerative capacity of the human endometrium, and have been implicated in the pathology of endometrial carcinoma. The RNA-binding protein Musashi-1 is associated with maintenance and asymmetric cell division of neural and epithelial progenitor cells, and acts as a promoter of notch-1 signalling. We could recently demonstrate significantly increased Musashi-1 expression in clinical endometrial carcinoma specimen compared to healthy controls, indicating an involvement of Musashi-1 in endometrial carcinoma pathogenesis.