MicroRNA‐124‐3p regulates cell proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, and bioenergetics by targeting PIM1 in astrocytoma
Authors: Yao Chen
Feng Zhi
Lei Wang
Naiyuan Shao
Yilin Yang
Bowen Li
Xiwei Xia
Qiang Wang
Danni Deng
Lian Xue
Journal: Cancer Science (2016)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: Apoptosis; PIM1; bioenergetics; invasion; miR-124-3p.
Affiliations: Modern Medical Research Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China., Xuzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Southeast University, Xuzhou, China., Biopharm Industry Service Center, Changzhou Center for Biotech Development, Changzhou, China., Department of Neurosurgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China.

Abstract:  The PIM1 protein is an important regulator of cell proliferation, the cell cycle, apoptosis, and metabolism in various human cancers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are powerful post-transcriptional gene regulators that function through translational repression or transcript destabilization. Therefore, we aimed to identify whether a close relationship exists between PIM1 and miRNAs. PIM1 protein levels and mRNA levels were significantly upregulated in astrocytoma tissues, indicating the oncogenic role of PIM1 in astrocytoma. Further bioinformatics analysis indicated that miR-124-3p targeted the 3'-UTR of PIM1. We also observed an inverse correlation between the miR-124-3p levels and PIM1 protein or mRNA levels in astrocytoma samples. Next, we experimentally confirmed that miR-124-3p directly recognizes the 3'-UTR of the PIM1 transcript and regulates PIM1 expression at both the protein and mRNA levels. Furthermore, we examined the biological consequences of miR-124-3p targeting PIM1 in vitro. We showed that the repression of PIM1 in astrocytoma cancer cells by miR-124-3p suppressed proliferation, invasion, and aerobic glycolysis and promoted apoptosis. We observed that the restoration or inhibition of PIM1 activity resulted in effects that were similar to those induced by miR-124-3p inhibitors or mimics in cancer cells. Finally, overexpression of PIM1 rescued the inhibitory effects of miR-124-3p. In summary, these findings aid in understanding the tumor-suppressive role of miR-124-3p in astrocytoma pathogenesis through the inhibition of PIM1 translation. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Figure 3D appears to have several areas where there are sharp edges, potentially due to splices in some bands but not others. Could the authors please provide uncropped original scans to address this concern? *** ![file] , 
 Some images in Figure 3F appear to overlap. *** ![file] , 
 Figure 5C appears to have some repeated images. One set has been flipped horizontally. *** ![file] , 
 Figure 4E appears to show a splice in one band that is not apparent in others. *** Contrast enhanced ![file] , 
 At least one image appears to have been reused between papers by some of the same authors. https: pubpeer.com publications 2AF9B1F1FB82D690BB4E5A33D56B77 *** ![file] , 
 ![file] The subjects are very old mice on a C57BL6 SJL background, which usually means some of the mice may have vision issue. It is incredible for old mice to have such straight and linear learning curves with extremely low variabilities within each group and across all days. if WT and htau have similar latency on days 3 and 4, it is surprising that they differed in the probe trial on day 5. Also, the paper said one-way ANOVA and t test were used. Can the authors explain how to analyze 4 days of morris water maze data in WT and htau mice using ONE-way ANOVA? , 
 #1 There are some white boxes in the image, I hope an expert can confirm. ![file] , 
 A panel in Figure 5C looks similar to one in Figure 4C from a [2017 paper by the same authors] From this paper: ![file] From 2017 one: ![file] , 
 Fig 5A: Band in the PSD95 blot appears to be pasted in from another source. ![file] , 
 Figs 4A and 4C: Splicing. ![file] , 
 Fig 6A: Duplications ![file] , 
 Additional assistance from reader L.S. *** ![file] , 
 #8 This image seems to have been from the 2015 doctoral dissertation for the first author. I am unable to find a current email address for the first author. There also may be a repeated image in the first row. https: digital.library.temple.edu digital collection p245801coll10 id 315037 [Download link] *** ![file] , 
 Figure 3F and Figure 2E from [Giannopoulos and Praticu00f2, 2018] . See blue box. ![file] , 
 Figure 3F and 3C from [Li et al.,2018] . See the yellow box. ![file] , 
 Figure 3B and Figure 4E look unexpectedly similar to Figure 4D from this [2015 paper] ![file] ![file] , 
 Figure 5A and 6A have some blots unexpectedly similar to some blots in a [2015 paper] . ![file] Update to comment #16: see the yellow box ![file] , 
 Additional concerns: - Some similarities with blots from [this 2015 paper] : ![file] , 
 Same images were used in two other papers: https: pubpeer.com publications 0824E81A70D60F32B75CE2D16DF573#null https: pubpeer.com publications DF7AB349A805675737F898FA6752A0#null ![file] ,