miR-302a/b/c/d cooperatively inhibit BCRP expression to increase drug sensitivity in breast cancer cells

• miR-302 inhibits BCRP expression via targeting the 3'-UTR of BCRP mRNA.
• miR-302 downregulate BCRP expression to increase chemosensitivity in breast cancer cells.
• miR-302a/b/c/d cooperatively inhibit BCRP expression to increase drug sensitivity in breast cancer cells.

ObjectiveBCRP is overexpressed in many tumors and mediates multidrug resistance in breast cancer. In this study, we determined the involvement of miR-302S in the development of drug resistance in breast cancer.MethodsThe differential miRNA expression profiling in parental MCF-7 cells and its derivative mitoxantrone (MX)-resistant MCF-7 (MCF-7/MX) cells was determined by the microarray analysis. The levels of miR-302S family and BCRP mRNA expression were determined by using Quantitative Real-Time PCR. The targeting effect between the individuals of miR-302S and BCRP mRNA-3'UTR were detected by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Proteins of BCRP are represented by Western blot assay. Cell viability was assessed by MTS assay. Efflux capacity was evaluated using flow cytometry.ResultsThe miR-302S family including miR-302a, miR-302b, miR-302c, and miR-302d was significantly down-regulated in BCRP-overexpressing MCF-7/MX cells. Luciferase activity assay showed that miR-302 inhibited BCRP expression by targeting the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of the BCRP mRNA. Overexpression of miR-302 increased intracellular accumulation of MX and sensitized breast cancer cells to MX. Furthermore, intratumoral injection of miR-302 potentiated the inhibitory effect of MX on tumor growth in mice transplanted with MCF-7/MX cells. Most importantly, miR-302S produced stronger effects than each individual member alone.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that miR-302 inhibits BCRP expression via targeting the 3′-UTR of BCRP mRNA. miR-302 members may cooperatively downregulate BCRP expression to increase chemosensitivity of breast cancer cells. miR-302 gene cluster may be a potential target for reversing BCRP-mediated chemoresistance in breast cancer.