Sinomenine restrains breast cancer cells proliferation, migration and invasion via modulation of miR-29/PDCD-4 axis
Authors: Xiaolin Liang
Wenyan Ma
Guanglei Gao
Journal: Artificial Cells Nanomedicine and Biotechnology (2019)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: JNK; MEK/ERK; PDCD-4; Sinomenine; breast cancer
Affiliations: Department of Galactophore, Linyi Central Hospital, Linyi, China;, Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China;, Department of Pharmacy, Jining No.1 People's Hospital, Jining, China

Abstract:  Sinomenine (Sino) is diffusely applied in heal rheumatoid arthritis and neuralgia. Howbeit, the activities of Sino in breast cancer cells remain confused. The research attempted to probe the anti-tumor function of Sino in breast cancer cells and divulge the feasible molecular mechanism. Sion at the 1-16 μM concentrations was exploited for the exposure of MDA-MB-231 or MCF7 cells, and cell growth, migration, invasion, cell cycle-relevant and apoptosis-correlative factors were estimated. Micro RNA (miR)-29 expression was evaluated via enforcing qRT-PCR, and the actions of miR-29 in MDA-MB-231 cells growth, migration and invasion were appraised after the overexpressed or suppressed vectors transfection. The functions of PDCD-4 in JNK and MEK/ERK pathways were estimated by employing western blot. We found that, Sino exposure impeded cell proliferation, provoked cell apoptosis and barricaded cell migration and invasion in MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cells. Enhancement of miR-29 was observed in Sino-managed cells, and miR-29 overexpression further potentiated the activities of Sino in MDA-MB-231 cells. Additionally, Sino remarkably enhanced PCDC-4 expression via adjusting miR-29 in MDA-MB-231 cells. Beyond that, overexpressed PCDC-4 obstructed JNK and MEK/ERK pathways in MDA-MB-231 cells. Taken together, the explorations unveiled that Sino restrained MDA-MB-231 cells proliferation, migration, invasion, and provoked apoptosis through modulation of miR-29/PDCD-4 axis. Highlight Sino inhibits MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cells proliferation and provokes apoptosis; Sino restrains MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cells migration and invasion; Sino ascends miR-29 expression in MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cells; Sino adjusts cell growth, migration and invasion via modulating miR-29; Sino up-regulates PDCD-4 expression through mediating miR-29; PDCD-4 obstructs JNK and MEK/ERK pathways in MDA-MB-231 cells. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 This paper belongs to a set of over 400 papers (as per February 2020) that share very similar Western blots with tadpole-like shaped bands, the same background pattern, and striking similarities in title structures, paper layout, bar graph design, and - in a subset - flow cytometry panels. Despite these similarities, these papers are authored by researchers from different departments and institutes, with almost no overlap in authors. The list of these papers is available here: https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 1KXqTAyl4j-jVorFPMD2XRpr76LcIKJ0CVyIvRj0exYQ edit?usp=sharing A more detailed description of this set of papers, suspected to all be generated by a common source, a paper mill , can be found here: * https: forbetterscience.com 2020 01 24 the-full-service-paper-mill-and-its-chinese-customers (January 2020) * https: scienceintegritydigest.com 2020 02 21 the-tadpole-paper-mill (February 2020) The same paper mill has been described in these papers: * Jana Christopher - Systematic fabrication of scientific images revealed - FEBS Letters (2018) - https: febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com doi full 10.1002 1873-3468.13201 * Jennifer A Byrne and Jana Christopher - Digital magic, or the dark arts of the 21st centuryu2014how can journals and peer reviewers detect manuscripts and publications from paper mills? - FEBS Letters (2020) - https: febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com doi full 10.1002 1873-3468.13747 , 
 Expression of Concern [6 April 2021] . ---------------------------------- We, the Publisher and Editor of Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, are issuing an Expression of Concern for the following article: Guanglei Gao, Xiaolin Liang Wenyan Ma (2019) Sinomenine restrains breast cancer cells proliferation, migration and invasion via modulation of miR-29 PDCD-4 axis. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, 47(1), 3839u20133846, DOI: 10.1080 21691401.2019.1666861 After publication of this article, questions about the scientific integrity of the article content were brought to the Publisher and Editoru2019s attention. We reached out to the authors requesting that they supply information that would confirm the articleu2019s integrity. The authors provided several files in response to our queries, but they were unable to provide the original data in a format which satisfies our requirements to confirm the authenticity of some types of data. In particular, they were unable to provide full western blots, where the molecular weight markers are indicated. Therefore, as we continue to work through the issues raised, we advise readers to interpret the information presented in the article with due caution. The authors have been notified about this Expression of Concern. , 
 An investigation by Jining First People s Hospital (the authors institution), released 29 December 2021, calls for retraction. Can the journal editors confirm that they received a request to depublish the paper? https: www.jnrmyy.com keyan kxyj gonggao 2021 1229 6607.html -------------------------- 8. The paper  Sinomenine restrains breast cancer cells proliferation, migration and invasion via modulation of miR-29 PDCD-4 axis published by Ma Wenyan of our hospital as the corresponding author and Gao Guanglei of Linyi Central Hospital as the first author, was investigated by the Department of There is academic misconduct of tampering with data and fabricating research processes. Our hospital will deal with the relevant responsible persons as follows: Ma Wenyan (corresponding author): cancel the application qualifications for scientific research projects, scientific research awards, scientific and technological achievements, scientific and technological talent plans within 5 years; cancel the 5-year nomination or recommender, nominated or recommender, Review experts and other qualifications; cancel the membership or membership of academic institutions such as societies and associations that they have obtained; postpone the appointment of a higher-level professional and technical position for 1 year; order to contact the magazine as soon as possible to withdraw the manuscript; administrative warning. Linyi Central Hospital treated Gao Guanglei (the first author) as follows: cancel the application qualifications for scientific research projects, scientific research awards, scientific and technological achievements, and scientific and technological talent plans within 5 years; cancel as a nominee or recommender, nominated or recommender, Review experts and other qualifications; suspend his postgraduate tutor application qualification for 5 years; ask him to contact the magazine within 30 days to withdraw his manuscript; fined 5,000 yuan; exhort him to talk about scientific research integrity, and instruct him to write a written inspection; The merits shall be evaluated first, and the annual assessment shall not be determined as excellent. ,