miR-23a targets interferon regulatory factor 1 and modulates cellular proliferation and paclitaxel-induced apoptosis in gastric adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Xue Liu
Xin Li
Hua Tang
Li-hua Zhu
Jian Zhang
Jing Ru
Min Liu
Journal: PLoS ONE (2013)
Discipline: Multidisciplinary
Keywords: MicroRNAs; non-coding RNAs; gene expression; post-transcriptional level; miR-23a
Affiliations: Tianjin Life Science Research Center and Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.

Abstract:  MicroRNAs are a class of non-coding RNAs that function as key regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. In our previous research, we found that miR-23a was significantly up-regulated in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells. In the current study, we demonstrate that miR-23a suppresses paclitaxel-induced apoptosis and promotes the cell proliferation and colony formation ability of gastric adenocarcinoma cells. We have identified tumor suppressor interferon regulator factor 1 (IRF1) as a direct target gene of miR-23a. We performed a fluorescent reporter assay to confirm that miR-23a bound to the IRF1 mRNA 3'UTR directly and specifically. The ectopic expression of IRF1 markedly promoted paclitaxel-induced apoptosis and inhibited cell viability and colony formation ability, whereas the knockdown of IRF1 had the opposite effects. The restoration of IRF1 expression counteracted the effects of miR-23a on the paclitaxel-induced apoptosis and cell proliferation of gastric adenocarcinoma cells. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that miR-23a is frequently up-regulated in gastric adenocarcinoma tissues, whereas IRF1 is down-regulated in cancer tissues. Altogether, these results indicate that miR-23a suppresses paclitaxel-induced apoptosis and promotes cell viability and the colony formation ability of gastric adenocarcinoma cells by targeting IRF1 at the post-transcriptional level. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Figure 1C appears to have two sets of repeated images. *** ![file] , 
 Figures 3E, 5B, and 7A appear to have some lanes that look unexpectedly similar. ![file] , 
 And an additional finding while comparing Figure 1C and 7C. ![file] Of note, all issues noted here were reported to the journal by me on October 7, 2015, more than 4 years ago. , 
 Retraction: miR-23a Targets Interferon Regulatory Factor 1 and Modulates Cellular Proliferation and Paclitaxel-Induced Apoptosis in Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cells The PLOS ONE Editors After publication of this article [1], concerns were raised about the image data reported in Figs 1, 3, 5, and 7. Concerns were raised about the reliability of colony formation assay results reported in Figs 1C, 5D, and 7C, in light of image similarities in the published figures. These concerns were not fully resolved by the materials provided post-publication in support of these figures. In Fig 1C, the plates representing MGC803 pcDNA3 and MGC803 pri-miR-23a appear similar to plates representing MGC803 ASO-23a and MGC803 ASO-NC, respectively. The Fig 1C, BGC823 pcDNA3 image appears similar to the Fig 5D, BGC823 IRF1 panel, when rotated 90 degrees. pcDNA3 and pri-miR-23a plates shown for MGC803 in Fig 1C appear similar to the pcDNA3 and pri-miR-23a pcDNA3 plates shown for MGC803 in Fig 7C, respectively. The plate shown in Fig 1C for BGC823 ASO-23a appears similar to the plate shown in Fig 7C for BGC823 pcDNA3. In each case the similar images represent different experiments. The authors noted that errors were made in preparing the figures resulting in duplication of the above images. The authors also noted that Fig 5C was correct, and that the correct Fig 1 MGC803 ASO-23a image was erroneously included in the published Fig 7 as representing MGC803 pri-miR-23a IRF1. Updated versions of Figs 1 and 7 were provided in response to the above issues. In the updated version of Fig 7C, three of the MGC803 images appear similar to images reported in Fig 5D as representing results of different experiments. In addition, concerns were raised about western blot data reported in Figs 3E, 5B, and 7A. In Fig 3E, there appear to be vertical discontinuities after lanes 1, 2 of the MGC803 IRF1 blot, and after lane 2 of the BGC823 IRF1 blot. The authors confirmed that different images were spliced in preparing this figure. They provided original image data for MGC803 results, and replicate data for the BGC823 experiment. Raw image data underlying Fig 3E BGC823 blots were not provided. Due to data labeling discrepancies and other issues involving the files provided post-publication, there remain unresolved concerns about the reliability of the results reported in this figure. Lanes 3u20134 of the MGC803 GAPDH panel in Fig 5B appear similar to lanes 3u20134 of the BGC823 IRF1 panel in Fig 3E. Also, in Fig 5B, lane 4 of the MGC803 GAPDH blot appears similar to lane 1 of the BGC823 GAPDH blot. According to data provided for Fig 5B, the GAPDH results shown in this published figure were not the matched controls for the corresponding IRF1 data. The BGC823 GAPDH blot data provided for Fig 5B appeared to match the BGC823 GAPDH data reported in Fig 3, where different IRF1 results were reported. In Fig 5B, there appear to be vertical discontinuities after lanes 2, 3 of the MGC803 IRF1 blot and after lane 2 of the BGC823 IRF1 blot. The authors provided raw image data supporting the Fig 5B panels. The raw data confirm that lanes were rearranged in preparing Fig 5B, and that the pSilencer and sh-IRF1 data in the published figure for BGC823 originate from a different blot than that which served as the source of the other IRF1 data in the figure. Lanes 2u20134 of the BGC823 GAPDH panel in Fig 5B appear similar to lanes 1u20133 of the BGC823 GAPDH panel in Fig 7A. The corresponding lanes represent different experiments in the two figures. The authors provided supporting data which indicated that incorrect GAPDH were reported in both figures. The PLOS ONE Editors have determined that the reliability of results reported in this article is in question given the extent of figure errors in the published article and concerns that arose during our review of supporting files provided post-publication. Therefore, the PLOS ONE Editors retract this article. XL, JR, JZ, ML, and HT agreed with retraction and apologized for the issues with the published article. L-hZ and XL either could not be reached or did not reply directly. Citation: The PLOS ONE Editors (2020) Retraction: miR-23a Targets Interferon Regulatory Factor 1 and Modulates Cellular Proliferation and Paclitaxel-Induced Apoptosis in Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cells. PLoS ONE 15(5): e0234093. doi:10.1371 journal.pone.0234093 Published: May 29, 2020 , 
 Assessed here, as part of the second of 10 broad investigations: https: www.nsfc.gov.cn publish portal0 tab442 info85495.htm **Decisions on handling scientific research misconduct cases investigated and dealt with in 2022 (first batch)** Date 2022-05-13 Source: u3000 Author: u3000 u3010 Large, Middle and Small u3011 u3010Printu3011 u3010Closeu3011 u3000u3000The National Natural Science Foundation of China resolutely implements the spirit of the  Several Opinions on Further Strengthening the Construction of Scientific Research Integrity and  Opinions on Further Promoting the Spirit of Scientists and Strengthening the Construction of Style and Study Style by the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council. Horizontal science and technology are self-reliant and self-reliant, continue to carry out scientific research integrity construction, and seriously investigate and deal with scientific research misconduct involving the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The Supervision Committee of the National Natural Science Foundation of China conducts investigations, verifications and comprehensive judgments on the accepted scientific research integrity cases, in accordance with the Regulations of the National Natural Science Foundation of ) and  Measures for Investigation and Handling of Scientific Research Misconduct in National Natural Science Foundation of China and other regulations and systems to propose handling suggestions. After deliberation at the second executive meeting of the National Natural Science Foundation of China in 2022, it was decided to deal with the relevant parties involved. The 10 handling decisions (online release version) that have been criticized and criticized are hereby announced. -------------------------------- **Decision on the handling of problems such as improper manipulation of images, confusion of experimental data, and false information in project applications, progress reports and final reports published by Tang Hua et al.** - National Science and Technology Financial Supervisory Office [2022] No. 2 The Supervision Committee of the National Natural Science Foundation of China launched an investigation into the papers published by Tang Hua and others of Tianjin Medical University for suspected academic misconduct. The papers involved are as follows: ... u3000u3000Paper 19:  Xue Liu # , Jing Ru # , Jian Zhang # , Lihua Zhu, Min Liu, Xin Li, Hua Tang*. **miR-23a Targets Interferon Regulatory Factor 1 and Modulates Cellular Proliferation and Paclitaxel-Induced Apoptosis in Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cells**. Plos One. 2013, 8(6): e64707.u201d (with fund numbers 31270818, 91029714, 31071191) ... u3000u3000According to the investigation of the supporting unit, the above paper has problems such as improper operation of pictures and confusion of experimental data. The corresponding author Tang Hua is mainly responsible for the above problems. In addition, Tang Hua has included the above papers in his 7 National Natural Science Foundation of China projects (approval numbers 30873017, 91029714, 31071191, 31270818, 81572790, 91629302, 81830094) applications, progress reports, and final reports. Responsible for the objective results of false information in the project application, progress report or final report. u3000u3000After deliberation at the 12th meeting of the Fifth Session of the Supervision Committee of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Life Medicine Professional Committee), and the approval of the 2nd Executive Meeting of the National Natural Science Foundation of China in 2022, it was decided to follow the thirty-fifth National Natural Science Foundation of China Regulations. Item 4 of Article 4, Item 2 of Article 16 and Item 3 of Article 17 of  Measures for Handling Misconduct in Science Fund Funding Work by the Supervision Committee of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (for Trial Implementation) , revocation of Tang Hua National Natural Science Foundation of China Science Fund Projects  Research on the molecular mechanism of Hsa-miR-10a inhibiting colon cancer metastasis (Grant No. 30873017),  Research on the interaction between miRNA and TNF-u03b1-IKK-NF-u03baB signaling pathway genes in ovarian cancer cells (Approval No. 91029714),  Research on the mechanism of miR-372 regulating the cycle of cervical cancer cells (Approval No. 31071191),  Regulation of Ago2 stability by PSMC3 and its mechanism (Approval No. 31270818),  miR-372 in liver cancer cells Epigenetic regulation and functional mechanism of 615-5pu201d (Grant No. 81572790), u201cThe mechanism of inflammatory factors activating NF-u03baB STAT3 to regulate the malignant behavior of tumor cells and the formation of pre-metastatic microenvironment through epigenetic modificationu201d ( Approval No. 91629302),  Study on the role and mechanism of m6A-RNA mediated by HPVE6 E7 in cervical cancer cells mediated by METTL3 (approval No. 81830094), recover the funds allocated for the above 7 projects, cancel the Tanghua National Natural Science Foundation of China The Science Foundation project is eligible for 5 years (January 18, 2022 to January 17, 2027), and the criticism will be given to Tang Hua. - National Natural Science Foundation of China - March 30, 2022 ,