Expression of the MIR-1 molecule in patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma

Abstract

Background: The uterine leiomyosarcoma represents the most frequent malignant gynecologic mesenchymal tumor that often develops distant metastases. The diagnosis of these tumors is nowadays still a challenge and the direct implication of the small non-coding RNAs (MicroRNAs ) in gene expression, tumor initiation and tumor progression has already been revealed in scientific studies. Because the aberrant microRNA (miRNA) expression patterns show a diagnostic value as tumor markers, we aimed to identify the gene expression level of miRNA-1 (miR-1) and the protein targets in uterine leiomyosarcoma.

Methods: Using the specific cell line - SK-UT-1 with similar biological characteristics of the uterine leiomyosarcoma tissue, in comparison to ovarian carcinoma cell lines: OVCAR-3, TOV-21 and SK-OV-3, and cell lines of mouse heart-muscle (HL-1), we were able to perform real time PCRs and RNA-Isolation arrays, transient and stabile transfection programs with lipofectamine reagents. Tissue samples of uterine leiomyosarcoma and healthy uterus were again analyzed by means of transfection and isolation arrays. The electrophoresis using protein targets of the miR-1 (p38 and ERK 1/2 widely expressed protein kinase intracellular signaling molecules and involved in functions including the regulation of meiosis, mitosis, und postmitotic functions) was also integrated. Results: The analysis of the SK-UT-1 cell line have shown significant differences in comparison to the other studied cell lines, respectively a reduced expression of the miR-1 molecules. The same results were observed in the process of transfection and electrophoresis of the human tissues, where the lowest expression of the miR-1 was evidenced in the uterine leiomyosarcomas. The specific protein targets of miR-1 have shown positive Western Blot signals. Conclusions: The miR-1 non coding molecules may improve our understanding of disease development, progression and gene expression of the uterine leiomyosarcoma. Further prospective translational studies in order to evaluate miR-1 as a prognostic factor are needed.

Key words: MIR-1, leiomyosarcoma, Western Blot.