Background: Metabolic reprogramming towards aerobic glycolysis in cancer supports unrestricted cell proliferation, survival and chemoresistance. The molecular bases of these processes are still undefined. Recent reports suggest crucial roles for microRNAs. Here, we provide new evidence of the implication of miR-27a in modulating colorectal cancer (CRC) metabolism and chemoresistance. Methods: A survey of miR-27a expression profile in TCGA-COAD dataset revealed that miR-27a-overexpressing CRCs are enriched in gene signatures of mitochondrial dysfunction, deregulated oxidative phosphorylation, mTOR activation and reduced chemosensitivity. The same pathways were analysed in cell lines in which we modified miR-27a levels. The response to chemotherapy was investigated in an independent cohort and cell lines. Results: miR-27a upregulation in vitro associated with impaired oxidative phosphorylation, overall mitochondrial activities and slight influence on glycolysis. miR-27a hampered AMPK, enhanced mTOR signalling and acted in concert with oncogenes and tumour cell metabolic regulators to force an aerobic glycolytic metabolism supporting biomass production, unrestricted growth and chemoresistance. This latter association was confirmed in our cohort of patients and cell lines. Conclusions: We disclose an unprecedented role for miR-27a as a master regulator of cancer metabolism reprogramming that impinges on CRC response to chemotherapy, underscoring its theragnostic properties.

miR-27a is a master regulator of metabolic reprogramming and chemoresistance in colorectal cancer / Barisciano, G.; Colangelo, T.; Rosato, V.; Muccillo, L.; Taddei, M. L.; Ippolito, L.; Chiarugi, P.; Galgani, M.; Bruzzaniti, S.; Matarese, G.; Fassan, M.; Agostini, M.; Bergamo, F.; Pucciarelli, S.; Carbone, A.; Mazzoccoli, G.; Colantuoni, V.; Bianchi, F.; Sabatino, L.. - In: BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER. - ISSN 0007-0920. - 122:9(2020), pp. 1354-1366. [10.1038/s41416-020-0773-2]

miR-27a is a master regulator of metabolic reprogramming and chemoresistance in colorectal cancer

Chiarugi P.;Galgani M.;Matarese G.;Bianchi F.;
2020

Abstract

Background: Metabolic reprogramming towards aerobic glycolysis in cancer supports unrestricted cell proliferation, survival and chemoresistance. The molecular bases of these processes are still undefined. Recent reports suggest crucial roles for microRNAs. Here, we provide new evidence of the implication of miR-27a in modulating colorectal cancer (CRC) metabolism and chemoresistance. Methods: A survey of miR-27a expression profile in TCGA-COAD dataset revealed that miR-27a-overexpressing CRCs are enriched in gene signatures of mitochondrial dysfunction, deregulated oxidative phosphorylation, mTOR activation and reduced chemosensitivity. The same pathways were analysed in cell lines in which we modified miR-27a levels. The response to chemotherapy was investigated in an independent cohort and cell lines. Results: miR-27a upregulation in vitro associated with impaired oxidative phosphorylation, overall mitochondrial activities and slight influence on glycolysis. miR-27a hampered AMPK, enhanced mTOR signalling and acted in concert with oncogenes and tumour cell metabolic regulators to force an aerobic glycolytic metabolism supporting biomass production, unrestricted growth and chemoresistance. This latter association was confirmed in our cohort of patients and cell lines. Conclusions: We disclose an unprecedented role for miR-27a as a master regulator of cancer metabolism reprogramming that impinges on CRC response to chemotherapy, underscoring its theragnostic properties.
2020
miR-27a is a master regulator of metabolic reprogramming and chemoresistance in colorectal cancer / Barisciano, G.; Colangelo, T.; Rosato, V.; Muccillo, L.; Taddei, M. L.; Ippolito, L.; Chiarugi, P.; Galgani, M.; Bruzzaniti, S.; Matarese, G.; Fassan, M.; Agostini, M.; Bergamo, F.; Pucciarelli, S.; Carbone, A.; Mazzoccoli, G.; Colantuoni, V.; Bianchi, F.; Sabatino, L.. - In: BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER. - ISSN 0007-0920. - 122:9(2020), pp. 1354-1366. [10.1038/s41416-020-0773-2]
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11588/820929
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 39
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 42
social impact