Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of hematological malignancies. Currently, in addition to demethylated chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, MDS patient-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MDS-MSC) play an important role in understanding the pathogenesis of MDS and related therapeutic targets. For example, abnormal expression of DICER1 gene, abnormalities of PI3K/AKT and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways provide new therapeutic targets for MDS. In addition, MDS-MSC is also affected by abnormal microenvironment of the body, such as inflammatory factor S100A9, as well as hypercoagulation and iron overload. In this review, genes, signaling pathways, cytokines, hematopoietic microenvironment, and the effect of therapeutic drugs for MDS-MSC were briefly summarized.
Cytokines/metabolism* ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases/metabolism* ; Hematologic Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes/genetics* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Ribonuclease III/metabolism* ; Tumor Microenvironment

Dicer is an RNAse III endonuclease that is essential for the biogenesis of microRNAs and small interfering RNAs. These small RNAs transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally regulate mRNA expression through RNA interference mechanisms. Recently, the function of Dicer in female reproduction has begun to be elucidated through the use of knockout mouse models. Several latest studies have indicated that Dicer gene plays a key role in female reproductive processes such as oocyte maturation, early embryonic development and implantation and steroidgenesis. When Dicer expression is decreased in female reproductive tissues or cells, it will cause infertility. In this article, author discuss the role of Dicer gene in female reproductive tract, and advance of Dicer gene study in female reproductive events.
Animals ; Embryonic Development ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; Ovary ; metabolism ; Ovum ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; Reproduction ; genetics ; Ribonuclease III ; genetics ; metabolism ; Uterus ; metabolism

SARS-associated coronavirus has been identified for the cause of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, for which there is no efficacious drugs or vaccines. RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in cell to degradation specific target mRNA by double-stranded RNA. In mammalian cells, RNAi can be triggered by short interfering RNA (siRNA). RNA interference of virus-specific genes has emerged as a potential antiviral mechanism. This work evaluated if RNase III-prepared short interfering RNAs can induce specific degradation of SARS-coronavirus mRNAs in human cells. Three of SARS genes, RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), spike and nucleocapsid, were amplified with T7 promoter-flanked primers. Long length double-stranded RNA of these genes were transcribed in vitro and then were cleaved to <30bp length short interfering RNA with E. coli RNase III. These siRNAs were termed esiRNA-R, esiRNA-S and esiRNA-N respectively. RdRp, spike and nucleocapsid DNA fragments were inserted into the plasmid pGL3-Control, obtained plasmids pGL-R, pGL-S and pGL-N can express hybrid mRNAs luciferase-RdRp, spike and -nucleocapsid in cells. Above plasmids and esiRNAs were co-transfected to HEK293F cells with reference plasmid pRL-TK. Firefly luciferase and Renilla luciferase activity were measured. Hybrid mRNAs' abundance was measured using reverse transcription real-time PCR. Firefly luciferase expression of pGL-R was reduced to 13% by esiRNA-R. Expression of pGLS was reduced to 11% by esiRNA-S. Expression of pGL-N was reduced to 40% by esiRNA-N. Control esiRNAs didn't affect luciferase expression; Hybrid mRNAs' abundance was dramatically reduced by corresponding esiRNAs. RNase III-prepared short interfering RNAs induce robust and specific degradation of SARS-coronavirus mRNAs in HEK293F cells. These siRNAs could be used to inhibit SARS-coronavirus in future research.
Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Plasmids ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; RNA, Viral ; metabolism ; Ribonuclease III ; physiology ; SARS Virus ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: Dicerl plays an important role in generation of microRNA, the purpose of this study was to evaluate Dicerl expression and its prognostic value in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHOD: The protein expression of Dicerl was examined by immunohistochemistry in 276 NPC specimens, and the mRNA levels of Dicerl were analyzed by qRT-PCR in 56 NPC and 11 nasopharyngitis tissues. Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent prognostic factors, and a prognostic score model was constructed for survival prediction. RESULT: Expression of Dicerl was downregulated in NPC tissues at both the mRNA and the protein levels, and there was a notable positive correlation between the expression levels of Dicerl mRNA and protein. Low Dicerl expression was positively correlated with distant metastasis (P<0. 01) and death (P<0. 05). In addition, low expression of Dicerl was significantly associated with poorer overall survival (HR = 2. 32, 95% CI: 1. 30 ~ 4. 14, P<0. 01) and poorer distant metastasis-free survival (HR = 2. 56, 95% CI: 1. 39 ~ 4. 74, P<0. 01). Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that low expression of Dicerl and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage were independent prognostic indicators for NPC patients. A prognostic score model combining the Dicerl expression and TNM stage had a better prognostic value than the TNM stage alone model or Dicer) expression alone model (P< 0. 05). CONCLUSION Dicerl was downregulated in NPC tissues at both the mRNA and the protein levels, and low expression of Dicerl could be served as novel prognostic biomarker for NPC patients.
Carcinoma ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases ; biosynthesis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Proteomics ; RNA, Messenger ; Ribonuclease III ; biosynthesis

Objective To investigate the effects of microRNA-18a (miR-18a) on migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and its possible mechanism associated with Dicer l.Methods HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 cells were transfected with miR-18a inhibitor using Lipofectamine. Cell invasion was evaluated by transwell invasion assay, and cell migration was detected by transwell migration and wound-healing assays. Moreover, luciferase reporter assay was used to identify whether Dicer expression was regulated by miR-18a. Real-time RT-PCR and western blot were performed to analyze Dicer 1 expression. In addition, a functional restoration assay was performed to investigate whether miR-18a promotes HCC cell migration and invasion by directly targeting Dicer 1.Results miR-18a inhibitor can suppress the migration and invasion of HCC cells. Furthermore, suppression of Dicer l expression by small interfering RNA essentially abolished the inhibition of cell migration and invasion induced by miR-18a inhibitor, restorating these activities to levels similar to the parental HCC cells. Interestingly, suppression of miR-18a in HCC cells resulted in enhanced expression of Dicer l. In addition, the results of a luciferase assay demonstrated targeted regulation of Dicer l by miR-18a.Conclusion Our findings suggest that miR-18a promotes migration and invasion of HCC cells by inhibiting Dicer l expression.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Movement ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ribonuclease III ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of silencing Dicer by small interference RNA (siRNA) to suppress the global microRNA (miRNAs) expression on the biological characteristics of TJ905 glioblastoma cells.

METHODSThe silencing effect of RNA interference on Dicer expression was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining. The cell proliferation rate and cell cycle kinetics were detected by MTT assay and flow cytometry respectively, and the cell invasive ability was evaluated by transwell assay.

RESULTSThe siRNA targeting Dicer suppressed the expression of Dicer in TJ905 cells. Meanwhile, the proliferation activity and invasive ability were significantly enhanced in cells transfected with Dicer siRNA compared to those cells transfected with scrambled siRNA and the control cells.

CONCLUSIONSuppression of Dicer expression renders the glioma cells harboring more aggressive phenotype. This preliminary finding suggests that global lower expression of miRNAs may play an oncogenic role.

Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Gene Silencing ; Glioblastoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Humans ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ribonuclease III ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To report the use of Dicer to cleave double-stranded RNA (dsRNAs) into small interference RNAs (D-siRNAs) that can target multiple sites within an mRNA, and to acquire an new method to cure inflammation of the airway and tumor. METHODS: Using RiboMAX Large Scale RNA Production Systems-SP6 and T7 kit were used to transcribe A549 cell COX-2 DNA into RNA (dsRNAs). We mixed dsRNAs with Dicer in the reaction buffer. We recovered siRNAs using RNA Purification Column. RESULTS: Dicer efficiently converted double-stranded RNA of COX-2 into small interference RNAs of 21 approximately 23 bp. CONCLUSION Dicer efficiently converts double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into small interference RNAs (D-siRNAs of 21 approximately 23 bp).
Base Sequence ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Double-Stranded ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ribonuclease III ; metabolism ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Previously, we reported the expression levels of specific microRNA machinery components, DGCR8 and AGO2, and their clinical association in patients with idiopathic sudden hearing loss (SSNHL). In the present study, we investigated the other important components of microRNA machinery and their association with clinical parameters in SSNHL patients. Fifty-seven patients diagnosed with SSNHL and fifty healthy volunteers were included in this study. We evaluated mRNA expression levels of Dicer and Drosha in whole blood of patients with SSNHL and the control group, using RT & real-time PCR analysis. The Dicer mRNA expression level was down-regulated in patients with SSNHL. However, the Drosha mRNA expression level was not significantly altered in patients with SSNHL. Neither the Dicer nor Drosha mRNA expression level was not associated with any clinical parameters, including age, sex, duration of initial treatment from onset (days), initial Pure tone average, Siegel's criteria, WBC, and Erythrocyte sedimentation rate. However, mRNA expression levels of Dicer and Drosha were positively correlated to each other in patients with SSNHL. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that the Dicer mRNA expression level was down-regulated in patients with SSNHL, suggesting its important role in pathobiology of SSNHL development.
Acute Disease ; Adult ; Biomarkers ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases/*blood ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/*blood ; Hearing Loss, Sudden/*blood ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs/*metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Ribonuclease III/*blood/*metabolism ; Statistics as Topic

The elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the differentiation and proliferation of human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (hADSCs) represents a critical step in the development of hADSCs-based cellular therapies. To examine the role of the microRNA-103a-3p (miR-103a-3p) in hADSCs functions, miR-103a-3p mimics were transfected into hADSCs in order to overexpress miR-103a-3p. Osteogenic differentiation was induced for 14 days in an osetogenic differentiation medium and assessed by using an Alizarin Red S stain. The regulation of the expression of CDK6 (cyclin-dependent kinase 6), a predicted target of miR-103a-3p, was determined by western blot, real-time PCR and luciferase reporter assays. Overexpression of miR-103a-3p inhibited the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs. In addition, it downregulated protein and mRNA levels of predicted target of miR-103a-3p (CDK6 and DICER1). In contrast, inhibition of miR-103a-3p with 2'O methyl antisense RNA increased the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs. The luciferase reporter activity of the construct containing the miR-103a-3p target site within the CDK6 and DICER1 3'-untranslated regions was lower in miR-103a-3p-transfected hADSCs than in control miRNA-transfected hADSCs. RNA interference-mediated downregulation of CDK6 and DICER1 in hADSCs inhibited their proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. The results of the current study indicate that miR-103a-3p regulates the osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs and proliferation of hADSCs by direct targeting of CDK6 and DICER1 partly. These findings further elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing the differentiation and proliferation of hADSCs.
Adipose Tissue/*cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; *Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6/genetics ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases/genetics ; *Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; MicroRNAs/genetics/*metabolism ; *Osteogenesis ; Ribonuclease III/genetics ; Stromal Cells/cytology/metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of estrogen (E2), progesterone(P4), and paclitaxel (taxol) on the growth of primary human ovarian cancer cells in vitro and the expression of Drosha.

METHODSHuman ovarian cancer cells were treated with estrogen, progesterone or in combination with paclitaxel in vitro. The inhibition rate of ovarian cancer cells was assessed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Apoptosis rate and cell cycle were determined by FACS analysis. The relative abundence of Drosha expression was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting.

RESULTSThe inhibition rate of the estrogen group, progesterone group, paclitaxel group, E2(+)Taxol group, P4(+)Taxol group was (31.53 ± 8.21)%, (25.22 ± 15.50)%, (46.71 ± 4.25)%, (69.46 ± 3.71)%, and (47.35 ± 39.02)%, respectively, significantly higher than that of the control group (0%, P<0.05 for all). Relative to the ER (-) in ovarian cancer cells,Drosha mRNA expression level of estrogen group, progesterone group, paclitaxel group, E2(+) Taxol group,and P4(+)Taxol group was 1.62 ± 0.10,1.60 ± 0.10,1.75 ± 0.16,1.95 ± 0.20, and 1.53 ± 0.06, respectively, significantly higher than that of the control group (1.00, P<0.05 for all). Relative to the ER (+)in ovarian cancer cells,the Drosha mRNA expression level of estrogen group, progesterone group, paclitaxel group, E2(+)taxol group, and P4(+)Taxol group was 1.03 ± 0.14, 1.60 ± 0.09, 1.75 ± 0.16, 1.60 ± 0.10, 1.53 ± 0.06, respectively except estrogen group, significantly higher than that of the control group (1.00, P<0.05). Relative to the ER (-) in ovarian cancer cells, the Drosha protein expression levels of the control group, estrogen group, progesterone group, paclitaxel group, E2(+) taxol group, and P4(+) Taxol group were 0.25 ± 0.05, 0.87 ± 0.30, 0.85 ± 0.38, 1.30 ± 0.21, 1.75 ± 0.83, 1.62 ± 0.82, respectively, with a significant difference between the experimental groups and the control group (P<0.05). Relative to the ER(+)ovarian cancer cells, the Drosha protein expression levels in the estrogen group, progesterone group, paclitaxel group, E2(+) taxol group, and P4(+) taxol group, were 0.28 ± 0.16, 0.85 ± 0.38, 1.30 ± 0.21, 0.94 ± 0.18, and 1.62 ± 0.82, respectively except estrogen group, significantly higher than that of the control group (0.25 ± 0.05, P<0.05 for all).

CONCLUSIONSEstrogen and progesterone in combination with paclitaxel can inhibit the growth of human ovarian cancer cells in vitro, and affect the cell apoptosis rate. Estrogen and taxol can alter the cell cycle. Estrogen and progesterone combined with paclitaxel show tumor suppressing or sensitizing effect through upregulated Drosha expression, and are associated with the estrogen receptor expression.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Growth Processes ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Coloring Agents ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Estrogens ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; chemistry ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Paclitaxel ; pharmacology ; Progesterone ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Ribonuclease III ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tetrazolium Salts ; Thiazoles ; Up-Regulation