Role of microRNA-9 in the Inhibition of Nox4 activating protein of epithelial mesenchymal transition in melanoma cells

• Grant number: 19/03452-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2019
• End date: December 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - General Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Lucia Rossetti Lopes
• Grantee: Beatriz Rodrigues Barra
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07937-8 - Redoxome - Redox Processes in Biomedicine, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Melanoma is the least common skin cancer, though it's the most dangerous if not early detected. This tumor originates from melanocytes, skin pigment cell producers and it can develop in several regions of the body. The prognosis of this cancer type is considered satisfactory in the initial stages, which have decreased the lethality rate and improved patient survival. Nox4 is a component of NADPH oxidase enzymatic complex, which is a membrane-associated enzyme dedicated to the generation of ROS (reactive oxygen species). Hydrogen peroxide produced by Nox4 is the main source of ROS in melanoma cells. In diseases such as cancers, ROS assists in direct tissue injury and DNA and lipid oxidation and also the increase in ROS generation in pre-malignant condition contributes to cancer progression. MicroRNA's are short non-codificant endogenous RNA's and its function is to regulate many processes like proliferation, differentiation, and cell death, given by its annealing in messenger RNA (mRNA) 3'UTR region, getting the translation inhibition of the mRNA cleavage. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of microRNA-9 in the regulation of Nox4 expression and its effects on epithelial-mesenchymal transition and migration of melanoma cells.