A cooperative microRNA-tumor suppressor gene network in acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL)

KJ Mavrakis, J Van Der Meulen, AL Wolfe, X Liu… - Nature …, 2011 - nature.com
KJ Mavrakis, J Van Der Meulen, AL Wolfe, X Liu, E Mets, T Taghon, AA Khan, M Setty
Nature genetics, 2011nature.com
The importance of individual microRNAs (miRNAs) has been established in specific
cancers. However, a comprehensive analysis of the contribution of miRNAs to the
pathogenesis of any specific cancer is lacking. Here we show that in T-cell acute
lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), a small set of miRNAs is responsible for the cooperative
suppression of several tumor suppressor genes. Cross-comparison of miRNA expression
profiles in human T-ALL with the results of an unbiased miRNA library screen allowed us to …
Abstract
The importance of individual microRNAs (miRNAs) has been established in specific cancers. However, a comprehensive analysis of the contribution of miRNAs to the pathogenesis of any specific cancer is lacking. Here we show that in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), a small set of miRNAs is responsible for the cooperative suppression of several tumor suppressor genes. Cross-comparison of miRNA expression profiles in human T-ALL with the results of an unbiased miRNA library screen allowed us to identify five miRNAs (miR-19b, miR-20a, miR-26a, miR-92 and miR-223) that are capable of promoting T-ALL development in a mouse model and which account for the majority of miRNA expression in human T-ALL. Moreover, these miRNAs produce overlapping and cooperative effects on tumor suppressor genes implicated in the pathogenesis of T-ALL, including IKAROS (also known as IKZF1), PTEN, BIM, PHF6, NF1 and FBXW7. Thus, a comprehensive and unbiased analysis of miRNA action in T-ALL reveals a striking pattern of miRNA-tumor suppressor gene interactions in this cancer.
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