The Role of hsa-miR-21 and Its Target Genes Involved in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Abstract

Objective: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key post-transcriptional regulators of protein translation in humans. They have an essential role in various cancers, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The abnormal expression of miR-21 has been proven to be associated with various types of cancers, including NPC, through its targets. This study provides a systematic view of the roles of miR-21 and its network of targets (hsa-miR-21-3p, hsa-miR-21-5p) that are associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods: Bioinformatics tools were applied to predict the targets of miR-21. Interactions among the targets of hsa-miR-21-3p/5p were found by the gene MANIA online tool.

Results and conclusion: It was found that the target genes are involved in vital biological processes in cancer. In detail, a total of 95 targets of miR-21 were recorded to be associated with NPC. Therefore, they may provide new insights into nasopharyngeal pathogenesis and bring about novel targets for NPC diagnosis as well as therapy in near future.

Keywords: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma; miR-21; miRNA; target gene.

Figure 1

Sequence of miR-21. (A) primary transcript of the miR-21. Lower letter: 5’ upstream sequence, and 3’ upstream sequence; Capital letter: sequence of 72-bps-length stem-loop precursor miR-21 (pre-miR-21); Seed of miR-12 is framed; (B) Stem-loop structure of pre-miR-21; (C) hsa-miR-21 is conserved over the mammalian evolution. Note: hsa: Homo sapiens; mmu: Mus musculus; rno: Rattus norvegicus; ssc: Sus scrofa; mml: Macaca mulatta; ptr: Pan troglodytes; ppy: Pongo pygmaeus; mmu: Mama mulatta; cfa: Canis familiaris; bta: Bos Taurus

Figure 2

Target Genes Network Interaction between NPC Pathogenesis and (A) hsa-miR-21-3p Target Genes; (B) hsa-miR-21-5p Target Genes