A miR-567-PIK3AP1-PI3K/AKT-c-Myc feedback loop regulates tumour growth and chemoresistance in gastric cancer
Authors: Juan Wu
Rui Zhou
Feifei Zhang
Lijun Xu
Liang Zhao
Xueqing Yao
Mingyi Li
Weidong Li
Hui Wang
Kaitao Li
Journal: EBioMedicine (2019)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: Chemoresistance; Gastric cancer; Prognostic biomarker; Tumour growth; microRNA-567.
Affiliations: Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China., Department of General Surgery, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangzhou, China., Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Tumour Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China., Radiotherapy Department, Affiliated Tumour Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China., Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China., Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: .

Abstract:  Background: Gastric cancer (GC) ranks the fifth most common cancer, and chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments for GC. However, chemoresistance limits the effectiveness of chemotherapy and leads to treatment failure. This study aims to investigate the biological effect of miR-567 on gastric tumourigenesis and chemoresistance and reveal the possible mechanism. Methods: We measured the expression of miR-567 in 37 paired normal and stomach tumour specimens, as well as GC cell lines by Real-time PCR. The functional effects of miR-567 were validated using in vitro and in vivo assays. Dual-luciferase report assays and Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay were conducted for target evaluation, western blot assay was used to confirm the relationships. Findings: Our data showed that miR-567 was downregulated in gastric tissues and gastric cancer cells compared with normal tissues and gastric epithelial cells. In vitro, Gain- and lose-of-function assays showed miR-567 not only weakened cells proliferative ability, but also sensitized GC cells to 5-FU and oxaliplatin. In vivo, miR-567 overexpression significantly repressed the tumourigenesis of GC cells compared with the vector control. Mechanistic analysis showed that PIK3AP1 activated AKT phosphorylation in GC. Meanwhile, miR-567 directly targeted PIK3AP1 to inactivate PI3K/AKT/c-Myc pathway and c-Myc inversely regulated miR-567 expression, thus forming a miR-567-PIK3AP1- PI3K/AKT-c-Myc feedback loop explaining the function of miR-567. Interpretation: Our studies revealed that miR-567 acts as a tumour suppressor gene and suppresses GC tumorigenesis and chemoresistance via a miR-567-PIK3AP1- PI3K/AKT-c-Myc feedback loop. These results suggest that miR-567 may serve as a target for chemoresistance and a potential prognostic biomarker for GC. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Fig. 2E. Two WB bands appear more similar than expected, yet represent different treatments. ![file] ,