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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 28, 2013; 19(48): 9307-9317
Published online Dec 28, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i48.9307
Published online Dec 28, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i48.9307
Anti-miRNA-221 sensitizes human colorectal carcinoma cells to radiation by upregulating PTEN
Qi Xue, Kai Sun, Hai-Jun Deng, Shang-Tong Lei, Jing-Qing Dong, Guo-Xin Li, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: Xue Q and Sun K contributed equally to this work; Xue Q and Sun K designed and performed the study, analyzed the data, wrote and revised the paper; Deng HJ, Lei ST, Dong JQ and Li GX helped perform a portion of the study.
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81101896; and the National Research Foundation for Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China, No. 20124433110010
Correspondence to: Kai Sun, PhD, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China. sunkai9602@sina.com
Telephone: +86-20-62787170 Fax: +86-20-61641683
Received: August 14, 2013
Revised: September 29, 2013
Accepted: December 13, 2013
Published online: December 28, 2013
Revised: September 29, 2013
Accepted: December 13, 2013
Published online: December 28, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: Previous studies have shown that miRNA (miR)-221 expression is elevated in radioresistant colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cells; however, it is unknown whether and how miR-221 controls cellular response to irradiation. We demonstrated that knockdown of miR-221 upregulated phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) expression, and PTEN was identified as a direct target of miR-221 in CRC. Upregulated PTEN expression suppressed AKT activity and increased radiation-induced cell death, enhancing radiosensitivity in CRC cells. This study provides evidence for antioncogenic activity of anti-miR-221 in the irradiation of CRC and may be a useful biomarker or therapeutic target in CRC.