MicroRNA-regulated protein-protein interaction networks and their functions in breast cancer
Journal
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Journal Volume
14
Journal Issue
6
Pages
11560-11606
Date Issued
2013
Author(s)
Abstract
MicroRNAs, which are small endogenous RNA regulators, have been associated with various types of cancer. Breast cancer is a major health threat for women worldwide. Many miRNAs were reported to be associated with the progression and carcinogenesis of breast cancer. In this study, we aimed to discover novel breast cancer-related miRNAs and to elucidate their functions. First, we identified confident miRNA-target pairs by combining data from miRNA target prediction databases and expression profiles of miRNA and mRNA. Then, miRNA-regulated protein interaction networks (PINs) were constructed with confident pairs and known interaction data in the human protein reference database (HPRD). Finally, the functions of miRNA-regulated PINs were elucidated by functional enrichment analysis. From the results, we identified some previously reported breast cancer-related miRNAs and functions of the PINs, e.g., miR-125b, miR-125a, miR-21, and miR-497. Some novel miRNAs without known association to breast cancer were also found, and the putative functions of their PINs were also elucidated. These include miR-139 and miR-383. Furthermore, we validated our results by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis using our miRNA expression profile data, gene expression-based outcome for breast cancer online (GOBO) survival analysis, and a literature search. Our results may provide new insights for research in breast cancer-associated miRNAs. ? 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
SDGs
Other Subjects
microRNA; microRNA 125a; microRNA 125b; microRNA 139; microRNA 21; microRNA 383; microRNA 497; unclassified drug; messenger RNA; microRNA; mirnlet7 microRNA, human; article; breast cancer; cancer growth; cancer survival; controlled study; disease association; down regulation; gene expression regulation; human; human tissue; major clinical study; nucleotide sequence; prediction; protein database; protein interaction network; protein protein interaction; protein RNA binding; protein structure, function and variability; reference database; RNA sequence; survival rate; tumor invasion; upregulation; validation process; breast tumor; female; genetic database; genetics; metabolism; protein protein interaction; receiver operating characteristic; reproducibility; Breast Neoplasms; Databases, Genetic; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; MicroRNAs; Protein Interaction Maps; Reproducibility of Results; RNA, Messenger; ROC Curve
Publisher
MDPI AG
Type
journal article