Researchers from University of Cornell have identified that microRNA-1269a could form a regenerative circuit which may promote the metastasis of colon cancer. Their study was published in Nature Communication.

Many solid tumours progress through stages while accumulating genetic alterations and reprogramming microenvironments. Ranked among the most common cancers and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, colorectal cancer(CRC) progresses through an adenomas to carcinoma sequence that eventually leads to metastasis.

microRNAs are small noncoding RNA molecules that suppress gene expression via the 3′ untranslated regions(UTRs) of target mRNAs. Individual microRNA can control many target genes and microRNA expression is often altered in cancer cells Among them, microRNAs that promote relapse metastasis are of particular interest as potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

In this study, scientists show that miR-1269a expression is upregulated in late-stage CRC and is associated with recurrence and metastasis of disease-free stage ⅡCRC patients. miR-1269a promotes CRC cells to undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) and to metastasize in vivo. Mechanistically, miR-1269 targets Smad7 and to metastasize in vivo. Mechanistically, miR-1269 targets Smad7 and HOXD10 to enhance transforming growth factor (TGF)-β Signaling， which in turn upregulates miR-1269 via Sox4.

Their findings suggest that miR-1269a is a potential marker to inform adjuvant chemotherapy decisions for patients and a potential therapeutic target to deter metastasis.