Analysis of 8q24.21 microRNAs expression in gastric carcinogenesis

• Grant number: 18/18522-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2018
• End date: December 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Marilia de Arruda Cardoso Smith
• Grantee: Brunno dos Santos Pereira
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 16/25562-0 - Gastric cancer molecular and functional approaches in the Brazilian population, AP.TEM

Abstract

In spite of the reduction of gastric cancer incidence worldwide, this neoplasm remains the second cause of cancer death in the world. The understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the gastric carcinogenesis process is essential for the development of new therapeutic strategies. Our research group previously described numerical and structural changes involving the 8q24.21 region in gastric tumors. In this region, there are 6 coding genes and 19 genes that are transcribed into non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). The miRNAs are molecules of approximately 22 nucleotides that act as transcriptional regulators of gene expression. These regulatory RNAs recognize specific RNA sequences and may modify the processing or expression of their target transcripts without altering the DNA sequence. Alterations in miRNA expression may lead to the silencing of tumor suppressor genes and activation of oncogenes. In the present study, we will study the role of miRNAs located in 8q24.21 region - MIR1204, MIR1205, MIR1206, MIR1207, MIR1208 and MIR5194 - in the process of gastric carcinogenesis. The project will generate new biological information that will enable a better understanding of the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of gastric cancer, with potential application in medical practice.