Mir-708 microRNA precursor family

Ewing's Sarcoma

miR-708 has been implicated in the bone-specific Ewing's sarcoma. Upregulation of the DNA repair protein EYA3 in this tumour is mediated by the fusion protein transcription factor EWS/FLI1, which in turn is via repression of miR-708. miR-708 targets the 3'UTR of EYA3, rather than binding directly to its promoter region. High levels of EYA3 in Ewing's sarcoma are accordingly correlated with low levels of miR-708.

miR-708 and Lung Cancer

High miR-708 expression levels are observed in lung cancers due to their oncogenic role in lung cancer tumour growth and progression. miR-708 overexpression results in increased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and has therefore been associated with a decreased survival rate in lung epithelial cancers. It directly downregulates the transmembrane protein 88 (TMEM88), a negative regulator of the Wnt signalling pathway.

References

References

1. (July 1998). "Identification of novel stress-induced genes downstream of chop". The EMBO Journal.
2. (March 2011). "A CHOP-regulated microRNA controls rhodopsin expression". The Journal of Cell Biology.
3. (August 2012). "EWS/FLI1 regulates EYA3 in Ewing sarcoma via modulation of miRNA-708, resulting in increased cell survival and chemoresistance". Molecular Cancer Research.
4. (July 2012). "Increased miR-708 expression in NSCLC and its association with poor survival in lung adenocarcinoma from never smokers". Clinical Cancer Research.