MiR-622 functions as a tumor suppressor and directly targets E2F1 in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Pingfang Lu
Guangsuo Wang
Changshan Song
Xujie Huang
Guoqiang Sun
Zhigang Wang
Zheng Wang
Weicheng Shi
Journal: Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy (2016)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: Apoptosis; E2F1; Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; MiR-622; Prognosis
Affiliations: Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China., Department of Thoracic Surgery, Guangdong General Hospital of Armed Police Forces, Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510507, China., Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, China., Department of Thoracic Surgery, 2nd Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, China., Department of Thoracic Surgery, 2nd Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, China. Electronic address: ., Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, China. Electronic address: .

Abstract:  Purpose: MicroRNA-622 has been proven down-regulated in many human malignancies and correlated with tumor progression. However, its role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is still unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the expression and function of miR-622 in ESCC. Methods: Using quantitative RT-PCR, we detected miR-622 expression in ESCC cell lines and primary tumor tissues. The association of miR-622 expression with clinicopathological factors and prognosis was also analyzed. Then, the effects of miR-622 on the biological behavior of ESCC cells were investigated. At last, the potential regulatory function of miR-622 on E2F1 expression was confirmed. Results: miR-622 was found to be down-regulated in ESCC tissues and cell lines. Decreased miR-622 expression was closely correlated with aggressive clinicopathological features and poor overall survival. Multivariate regression analysis corroborated that low level of miR-622 expression was an independent unfavourable prognostic factor for patients with ESCC. Up-regulation of miR-622 could significantly reduce ESCC cell proliferation, enhance cell apoptosis, and impair cell invasion and migration in vitro, while down-regulation of miR-622 showed opposite effects. Further, E2F1 was confirmed as a direct target of miR-622 by using Luciferase Reporter Assay. Conclusions: These findings indicate that miR-622 may act as a tumor suppressor in ESCC and would serve as a potential therapy target for this disease. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Figure4C  , 
 #1 Adding Fig 2C to the mix. The BGC-823 pcRNA-NC plate benefits from a rotation. Note the intensive use of the clone-stamp tool **within** some of the plates.  Fig 2E. Two flow-cytometry plots are nearly identical.  , 
 #2  , 
 Fig 6D. Two FACS plots are unexpectedly similar in their left-hand quadrants.  It may be, however, that the extensive use of the clone-stamp is of greater concern.  ,