Role of MicroRNA miR-27a and miR-451 in the regulation of MDR1/P-glycoprotein expression in human cancer cells

Hua Zhu, Hao Wu, Xiuping Liu, Brad R. Evans, Daniel J. Medina, Chang Gong Liu, Jin Ming Yang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

427 Scopus citations

Abstract

MicroRNAs are short non-coding RNA molecules able to affect stability and/or translation of mRNA, thereby regulating the expression of genes involved in many biological processes. We report here that microRNAs miR-27a and miR-451 are involved in activating the expression of P-glycoprotein, the MDR1 gene product that confers cancer cell resistance to a broad range of chemotherapeutics. We showed that expressions of miR-27a and miR-451 were up-regulated in multidrug resistant (MDR) cancer cell lines A2780DX5 and KB-V1, as compared with their parental lines A2780 and KB-3-1. Treatment of A2780DX5 cells with the antagomirs of miR-27a or miR-451 decreased the expression of P-glycoprotein and MDR1 mRNA. In contrast, the mimics of miR-27a and miR-451 increased MDR1 expression in the parental cells A2780. The sensitivity to and intracellular accumulation of cytotoxic drugs that are transported by P-glycoprotein were enhanced by the treatment with the antagomirs of miR-27a or miR-451. Our results demonstrate for the first time the roles of microRNAs in the regulation of drug resistance mediated by MDR1/P-glycoprotein, and suggest the potential for targeting miR-27a and miR-451 as a therapeutic strategy for modulating MDR in cancer cells.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)582-588
Number of pages7
JournalBiochemical Pharmacology
Volume76
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2008

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was supported by US Public Health Service grants NCI CA 66077 and CA 72720.

Keywords

  • Chemotherapy
  • Drug resistance
  • Gene expression
  • MDR1
  • MicroRNA
  • P-glycoprotein

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology

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