Functional study of microRNAs associated with the process of metastasis in human breast cancer cell lines.

Abstract

The functional studies are critical for understanding the role of microRNAs (miRNAs), small RNAs (14 to 20NT) non coding of proteins that play important role in the gene expression regulation. Metastasis is the process that most affects the clinical management of cancer patients and occurs in multiple sequential steps. However, the molecular basis of the pathways governing these steps still remain unclear. Recent studies have suggested that certain microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the development and progression of breast cancer. This project is within the line of functional genomics of cancer and refers to studying the role of miRNAs in the gene expression regulation of key genes involved on process of metastasis. In this study we aim to analyze the viability of immortalized cell lines of breast carcinoma, as models for functional studies with miRNAs miR-183 and miR-494, previously identified as dysregulated in this type of carcinoma. Our hypothesis is that these miRNAs previously identified as deregulated in tumors of patients with breast cancer have an important role in the gene expression regulation of key genes associated with the metastatic phenotype. We will use the technology of real-time PCR to evaluate the expression of miRNAs miR-183 and miR-494 as well as their respective targets in a panel of breast carcinoma cell lines. Through in vitro functional assays (overexpression) intend to evaluate the role of these miRNAs in modulating the expression of key genes in the process of metastasis and its impact on the behavior modulation of neoplastic cells.