In-Silico Target Prediction for Hsa-Mir-27a and Identification of Genes Involved In Breast Cancer

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key gene regulators in all living organisms. They play an important role in various diseases including breast cancer (BC). Mutations within MIR27a gene have been linked with various types of cancers including breast cancer. Several tools are being used to identify potential targets for crucial miRNA genes. In the present study, online target prediction tools were used to investigate target genes that may be regulated by the mature form of MIR27a (hsa-mir-27a-3p and has-mir-27a-5p). A total of 52 target genes were found for hsa-mir-27a while for hsa-mir-27a-5p determined 45 targets. These target genes were further explored for their potential role in BC. It was found that the target genes are involved in vital biological processes in cancer progression and development. In conclusion, MIR27a may regulate several genes that are vital for BC development and progression. MIR27a may act as a promising new biomarker for anti-breast cancer therapy. *Address for correspondence: Aftab Ali Shah Department of Biotechnology, University of Malakand, Chakdara, Pakistan E-mail: aftabuom@gmail.com INTRODUCTION MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, highly conserved noncoding short (19-24 nt) RNA molecules that control gene expression post-transcriptionally, either by degradation of target mRNAs or by inhibition of protein translation. It is already known that miRNAs have a significant role in crucial biological pathways (Oliveto et al. 2017) More than fifty percent of all genes in the human genome are known to be regulated by miRNAs (Keller et al. 2014). Recently it is shown that abnormal expression of miRNAs is related to a broad range of human diseases (Chen et al. 2018; Li and Kowdley 2012). A large number of miRNAs have been discovered by cloning and size-fractionated RNA techniques. The researchers’ previous studies have shown altered expression profile of selected miRNA in caloric metabolism and gastric cancer by using whole genome miRNA profiling studies using blood samples from human and related knockout mouse models (Shah et al. 2013; Shah et al. 2012; Shah et al. 2011). MIR27a is thought to be an oncomir promoting tumor growth and metastasis. It has been reported to be a marker for breast cancer progression and patient survival (Zhao et al. 2016). MiR-27a is involved in the modulation of growth, angiogenesis and metastasis of BC and gastric cancer cells (Ding et al. 2017; Zhou et al. 2016a; Tang et al. 2014). Targets genes of the majority of the miRNA are not known, but the predicted limit is from a single to hundreds of genes for a certain miRN As, which is based on target estimation by applying an array of bioinformatics methods. The biogenesis of miRNAs is a highly regulated process, and alteration in their regulation is linked with many diseases in human (Chen et al. 2018; Ding et al. 2017; Ha and Kim 2014). Expression of miRNAs is tissue-specific and also influenced by different developmental stages. Hence, miRNAs exhibiting abnormal expression levels in the situation of certain diseases are of great importance as therapeutic targets. As only a limited regulatory target is known, predicting and validating miRNA targets is one of the major hurdles in understanding miRNA biology. Due to diversity in miRNAs and difficulty in experimental identification of target genes, the specific function of most miRNAs is not known. It is necessary to find their target mRNAs to explore their post-transcriptional regulating properties and associations for ailments and diagnostics. Bioinformatics tools were used to predict target mRNAs for MIR27a. Int J Hum Genet, 19(1): 12-21 (2019) DOI: 10.31901/24566330.2019/19.01.683 © Kamla-Raj 2019 PRINT: ISSN 0972-3757 ONLINE: ISSN 2456-6330 MIR27A REGULATES BREAST CANCER PROGRESSION 13