Oncogenic microRNA

Klaus Rajewsky and colleagues set out to determine how the miR-17-92 microRNA cluster -- frequently amplified in lymphoma cells -- accelerates lymphoma development. The team studied mice with elevated amounts of miR-17-92 matching those seen in lymphoma cells. These mice displayed hyperproliferation of lymphocytes, suffered from autoimmune disease and then died prematurely.

The researchers identified miR-17-92-binding sites in RNA molecules encoding Bim and PTEN, proteins known to protect cells from cancer development. Supporting the notion that miR-17-92 promotes lymphoma development by diminishing expression of tumour suppressor proteins, mice expressing reduced Bim and PTEN displayed some features of mice overexpressing miR-17-92. These findings will direct future efforts to identify additional factors contributing to early lymphomagenesis.

Author contact:

Klaus Rajewsky (Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA)
E-mail: rajewsky@cbr.med.harvard.edu

Abstract available online.

(C) Nature Immunology press release.

Message posted by: Trevor M. D'Souza