miR-1199-5p and Zeb1 function in a double-negative feedback loop potentially coordinating EMT and tumour metastasis

Epithelial tumour cells can gain invasive and metastatic capabilities by undergoing an epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Transcriptional regulators and post-transcriptional effectors like microRNAs orchestrate this process of high cellular plasticity and its malignant consequences. Here, using microRNA sequencing in a time-resolved manner and functional validation, we have identified microRNAs that are critical for the regulation of an epithelial–mesenchymal transition and of mesenchymal tumour cell migration. We report that miR-1199-5p is downregulated in its expression during an epithelial–mesenchymal transition, while its forced expression prevents an epithelial–mesenchymal transition, tumour cell migration and invasion in vitro, and lung metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, miR-1199-5p acts in a reciprocal double-negative feedback loop with the epithelial–mesenchymal transition transcription factor Zeb1. This function resembles the activities of miR-200 family members, guardians of an epithelial cell phenotype. However, miR-1199-5p and miR-200 family members share only six target genes, indicating that, besides regulating Zeb1 expression, they exert distinct functions during an epithelial–mesenchymal transition.