Transcript Level of MicroRNA Processing Elements in Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been implicated in the etiopathogenesis and development of various cancers. Drosha and Dicer are the main components of the miRNA biosynthesis machine. Another enzyme, DGCR8, is the assistant of Drosha in the processing complex. Here, we tried to evaluate the mRNA transcript level of Drosha, Dicer, and DGCR8 genes in involved tissues from patients with gastric cancer.

METHODS: Fifty tumoral and their marginal tissues, as the control group, were obtained from patients with gastric cancer. After RNA extraction from tissues and cDNA synthesis, quantification of mRNA expression of Drosha, Dicer, and DGCR8 was conducted using SYBR Green master mix and real-time PCR.

RESULTS: It was observed that mRNA expression levels of Drosha, Dicer, and DGCR8 were significantly upregulated in tumoral tissues compared with marginal tissues. Upregulation of these genes was not correlated with clinical manifestations of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Upregulation of Drosha, Dicer, and DGCR8 plays a role in the development of cancer, probably through dysregulated the expression level of miRNAs.