Identification of a Tumor Suppressive Human Specific MicroRNA within the FHIT Tumor Suppressor Gene
Menée in silico et à l'aide de xénogreffes, cette étude identifie, dans le quatrième intron du gène FHIT, un micro-ARN impliqué dans la fonction de suppresseur de tumeurs attribuée à ce gène
Loss or attenuated expression of the tumor suppressor gene FHIT is associated paradoxically with poor progression of human tumors. Fhit promotes apoptosis and regulates reactive oxygen species, however, the mechanism by which Fhit inhibits tumor growth in animals remains unclear. In this study, we used a multi-discliplinary approach based on bioinformatics, small RNA library screening, human tissue analysis and a xenograft mouse model to identify a novel member of the miR-548 family in the fourth intron of the human FHIT gene. Characterization of this human-specific microRNA illustrates the importance of this class of microRNAs in tumor suppression and may influence interpretation of Fhit action in human cancer.