Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

miR-15 and miR-16 induce apoptosis by targeting BCL2

  • Amelia Cimmino
  • , George Adrian Calin
  • , Muller Fabbri
  • , Marilena V. Iorio
  • , Manuela Ferracin
  • , Masayoshi Shimizu
  • , Sylwia E. Wojcik
  • , Rami I. Aqeilan
  • , Simona Zupo
  • , Mariella Dono
  • , Laura Rassenti
  • , Hansjuerg Alder
  • , Stefano Volinia
  • , Chang Gong Liu
  • , Thomas J. Kipps
  • , Massimo Negrini
  • , Carlo M. Croce*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3325 Scopus citations

Abstract

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common human leukemia and is characterized by predominantly nondividing malignant B cells overexpressing the antiapoptotic B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) protein. miR-15a and miR-16-1 are deleted or down-regulated in the majority of CLLs. Here, we demonstrate that miR-15a and miR-16-1 expression is inversely correlated to Bcl2 expression in CLL and that both microRNAs negatively regulate Bcl2 at a posttranscriptional level. BCL2 repression by these microRNAs induces apoptopsis in a leukemic cell line model. Therefore, miR-15 and miR-16 are natural antisense Bcl2 interactors that could be used for therapy of Bcl2-overexpressing tumors.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)13944-13949
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume102
Issue number39
DOIs
StatePublished - 27 Sep 2005
Externally publishedYes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

  • Leukemia
  • MicroRNAs
  • Translation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'miR-15 and miR-16 induce apoptosis by targeting BCL2'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this