miR-221 targets QKI to enhance the tumorigenic capacity of human colorectal cancer stem cells

August 24, 2019

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This study identifies a micro-RNA (miR-221) that, at the bottom of colonic crypts, is preferentially expressed in Lgr5+ cells as compared to Kit+ goblet cells. This micro-RNA is able to down-regulate the protein expression levels of Quaking (QKI), an emerging tumor-suppressor, and acts as a positive regulator of the tumor-initiating capacity of human colon “cancer stem cell” populations.

Article link:

Mukohyama J*, Isobe T, Hu Q, Hayashi T, Watanabe T, Maeda M, Yanagi H, Qian X, Yamashita K, Minami H, Mimori K, Sahoo D, Kakeji Y, Suzuki A, Dalerba P, Shimono Y. miR-221 targets QKI to enhance the tumorigenic capacity of human colorectal cancer stem cells. Cancer Res.2019 Aug 15. pii: canres.3544.2018. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-18-3544. [Epub ahead of print]

Junko Mukohyama, an NYSTEM post-doctoral fellow

*Dr. Junko Mukohyama is an NYSTEM post-doctoral fellow in Piero Dalerba laboratory.