Title:miR-141-3p Enhanced Radiosensitivity of CRC Cells
Volume: 27
Issue: 1
Author(s): Lizhong Peng*, Pan Li and Zexu Peng
Affiliation:
- Department of Surgery, Hubei Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430074, China
- The Hubei University of
Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Wuhan, 430061, China
- Hubei Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine,
Wuhan, 430074, China
Keywords:
Colorectal cancer, miR-141-3p, lncRNA DLX6-AS1, radiotherapy, radiosensitivity, RNA stability, colon cancer, rectal cancer.
Abstract:
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is recognized as one of the frequently diagnosed
malignancies, and numerous microRNAs (miRs) are identified to be active in CRC.
Objective: This work aimed to clarify the effect of miR-141-3p on the radiosensitivity of CRC
cells.
Methods: Firstly, CRC cell lines were cultured and applied to construct radiation-resistant CRC
cells via X-ray treatment. The expression levels of miR-141-3p and long non-coding RNA DLX6
antisense RNA 1 (lncRNA DLX6-AS1) in CRC cells were measured using real-time quantitative
polymerase chain reaction. After transfection with miR-141-3p mimics and 24 h treatment with 6-
MV X-ray (0, 2, 4, 6 Gy), the survival fraction (SF) and the colony formation ability of CRC cells
were determined using the cell counting kit-8 and colony formation methods. The interactions between
miR-141-3p and DLX6-AS1 were analyzed using the dual-luciferase assay. The impact of
miR-141-3p on DLX6-AS1 stability was detected after adding actinomycin-D. The role of DLX6-
AS1 in the radiosensitivity of CRC cells was explored by transfecting oe-DLX6-AS1 into radiation-
resistant CRC cells overexpressing miR-141-3p.
Results: The relative expression levels of miR-141-3p were downregulated in CRC cells and further
declined in radiation-resistant cells. Upregulation of miR-141-3p relative expression reduced
SF and the colony formation ability while amplifying the radiosensitivity of radiation-resistant
CRC cells. miR-141-3p directly bound to DLX6-AS1 to reduce DLX6-AS1 stability, and therefore
downregulated DLX6-AS1 expression. DLX6-AS1 overexpression counteracted the role of miR-
141-3p overexpression in amplifying the radiosensitivity of radiation-resistant CRC cells.
Conclusion: miR-141-3p binding to DLX6-AS1 significantly decreased DLX6-AS1 stability and
expression, promoting the radiosensitivity of CRC cells.