MicroRNA-27a regulates the proliferation, chemosensitivity and invasion of human ovarian cancer cell lines by targeting Cullin 5
Authors: Lihui Si
Qing Yu
Yan Jia
Ruixin Lin
Shuli Yang
Wenwen Jian
Journal: Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics (2019)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: Cell cycle arrest; Invasion; MicroRNA; Ovarian cancer; Proliferation.
Affiliations: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130041, China., Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130041, China., Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130041, China. Electronic address: .

Abstract:  Reports suggest that microRNAs have implications in the development of several diseases including cancer. It is therefore believed that miRs may act as therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. The treatment of ovarian cancer is mainly obstructed by lack of biomarkers and efficient drug targets. Against this backdrop, this study was undertaken to unveil the therapeutic implications of miR-27a in ovarian cancer. The results showed that the expression of miR-27a was significantly elevated in ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines. Inhibition of miR-27a expression resulted in the decrease of proliferation rate and colony formation potential of the SK-OV-3 and OVACAR-3 cells via G2/M arrest. The miR-27a inhibition triggered G2/M arrest of SK-OV-3 and OVACAR-3 cells was accompanied with depletion of cyclin A and B1 expression levels. TargetScan analysis together with dual reporter assay revealed that miR-27a exerts its effects via modulation of CUL5 expression. The CUL5 was shown to be suppressed in the ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines and suppression of miR-27a expression caused upregulation of CUL5 expression. Overexpression of CUL5 caused inhibition of SK-OV-3 and OVACAR-3 cell proliferation via induction of G2/M arrest, similar to that of miR-27a inhibition. Interestingly, CUL5 overexpression reversed the effects of miR-27a inhibition on the viability of SK-OV-3 cells. Finally, the suppression of miR-27a could enhance the chemosensitivity of the SK-OV-3 cells to cisplatin and docetaxel anticancer drugs and also decreased their migration and invasion. The findings of this study revealed that miR-27a suppression inhibits the growth, chemosensitivity and invasion of ovarian cancer and may prove beneficial in the ovarian cancer management. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Fig. 5D.  Effect of miR-27a inhibition on ...(D) cell invasion of the SK-OV3 cells . ![file] For comparison, Figs 6 and 7 from [Zhu et al (2019)] : ![] Figs 7 and 8 from [Liu, Du Yu (2019)] : ![] , 
 *[below]* Fig 4C from [Si et al (2019)] .  Colony formation of NC and pcDNA-CUL5 transfected SK-OV3 and OVACAR-3 cells . *[above[* Fig 1D from [Yin et al (2019)] .  Colony formation of the NC and Si-PPMD1 transfected HT-29 cells . ![file] Different cell-lines, conditions and authors. Same image. , 
 *[right]* Fig 2C from [Si et al (2019)] .  Colony formation of miR-NC and miR-27a inhibitor transfected SK-OV-3 and OVACAR-3 cells . *[left]* Figure 3 from [Chen et al (2019)] .  Colony formation assay of the Zingiberene-treated HT-29 cells at indicated concentrations . ![file] , 
 #2 *[below]* Fig 4C from [Si et al (2019)] .  Colony formation of NC and pcDNA-CUL5 transfected SK-OV3 and OVACAR-3 cells . *[above]* Fig 1D from [Yin et al (2019)] .  Colony formation of the NC and Si-PPMD1 transfected HT-29 cells . ![file] For comparison with *[left]* Figure 2 from [Zhou et al (2020)] .  Colony formation assay showing inhibition of colony formation of MML-1 melanoma cells at indicated concentrations of Heptazoline . ![file] , 
 *[below]* Fig 4C from [Si et al (2019)] .  Colony formation of NC and pcDNA-CUL5 transfected SK-OV3 and OVACAR-3 cells . *[above]* Figure 5 from [Zhu et al (2019)] .  Overexpression of CUL-5 inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of SNU-16 cells...The effect of CUL5 overexpression on... (C) colony formation . ![file] , 
 Retracted [18 June 2022] . --------------- This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor in Chief and authors. After receiving some critical comments, the authors repeated the experiments they had initially outsourced to a biotechnology company but were unable to reproduce the previously reported findings. Therefore, the authors agree that this article should be retracted and apologise for any inconvenience caused. ,