A novel p70 S6 kinase-microRNA biogenesis axis mediates multicellular spheroid formation in ovarian cancer progression

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death of all gynecologic tumors, associated with widespread peritoneal dissemination and malignant ascites. Key to this is the ability to form multicellular spheroids (MCS); however, the tumor-specific factors that regulate MCS formation are unclear. p70 S6 kinase (p70(S6K)), which is a downstream effector of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt, is frequently constitutively active in ovarian carcinoma. Here we identify p70(S6K) as a vital regulator of MCS formation. We also uncover a new mechanism of p70(S6K) function as a component of the microRNA biogenesis machinery in this process. We show that p70(S6K) phosphorylates, and inhibits the interaction of tristetraprolin (TTP) and Dicer that promotes the expression of a subset of miRNAs, including the maturation of miR-145. Twist and Sox9 are two divergent targets of miR-145, thereby enhancing N-cadherin, but not other cadherin, expression and MCS formation. Activating miR-145 suppresses ovarian tumor growth and metastasis in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model. Meta-analysis in the Oncomine database reveals that high p70(S6K) and low TTP levels are associated with ovarian tumor progression. These results define a critical link between p70(S6K), miRNA maturation, and MCS formation that may underlie poor clinical outcome of ovarian cancer patients for developing novel therapeutic strategies.