miR-221/222 promote tumor growth and suppress apoptosis by targeting lncRNA GAS5 in breast cancer
Authors: Yejun Qin
Yazhou Zhang
Tao Xu
Xichao Sun
Xiankui Cheng
Yuanyuan Zong
Journal: Bioscience Reports (2019)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: GAS5; apoptosis; breast cancer; miR-221/222.
Affiliations: Department of Pathology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China   ., Department of Pathology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China., Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China   .

Abstract:  MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 21-23-nucleotide, short, non-coding RNAs that play important roles in virtually all biological pathways in mammals and other multicellular organisms. The association of miR-221 and miR-222 (miR-221/222) for breast cancer is critical, but their detailed roles in its development and progression remain unclear. In the present study, we found that miR-221/222 were consistently up-regulated in breast cancer tissues. We then investigated the molecular mechanisms by which miR-221/222 contributed to breast cancer and identified growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) as a direct target gene of miR-221/222. In contrast with the up-regulated expression levels of miR-221/222, GAS5 levels were significantly down-regulated and negatively correlated with miR-221/222 in breast cancer tissues. In addition, we showed that miR-221/222 inhibitors increased cellular apoptosis, miR-221/222 mimics decreased the cell apoptosis in breast cancer cells, and restoration of GAS5 expression attenuated the anti-apoptotic effects of miR-221/222 in breast cancer cells, indicating that GAS5 was a direct mediator of miR-221/222 function. Finally, we showed that miR-221/222 suppressed GAS5 expression significantly and enhanced tumor growth in a mouse model of breast cancer xenografts. The present study highlighted the important role of miR-221/222 as oncomiRs in breast cancer, which inhibited GAS5 translation. These findings may provide a new perspective for the molecular mechanism of breast carcinogenesis and provide a novel approach to the treatment of breast cancer. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Two plots in figure 4A appear to have substantial overlap, although they are not completely identical. I also note that the gate percentages are quite different, although by eye the two figures are closely similar. Could the authors please review and comment? *** ![file] , 
 Retracted [April 2021] . ------------------------ This article is being retracted from Bioscience Reports at the request of the Editorial Board following receipt of a notification from a reader, alerting the Editorial Office to very similar data plots in Figure 4A. The authors contacted the Editorial Office, providing a revised Figure 4, explaining that the similarity may be due to the same sample being re-tested by mistake. However, as the original data has been lost and there are concerns surrounding the sample and data storage, the Editorial Board stand by the decision to retract the article. The authors disagree to the retraction. ,