MicroRNA-1205, encoded on chromosome 8q24, targets EGLN3 to induce cell growth and contributes to risk of castration-resistant prostate cancer

The chromosome 8q24.21 locus, which contains the proto-oncogene c-MYC, long non-coding RNA PVT1, and microRNAs (miRs), is the most commonly amplified region in human prostate cancer. A long-range interaction of genetic variants with c-MYC or long non-coding PVT1 at this locus contributes to the genetic risk of prostate cancer. At this locus is a cluster of genes for six miRs (miR-1204, −1205, −1206, −1207–3p, −1207–5p, and −1208), but their functional role remains elusive. Here, the copy numbers and expressions of miRs-1204~1208 were investigated using quantitative PCR for prostate cancer cell lines and primary tumors. The data revealed that copy numbers and expression of miR-1205 were increased in both castration-resistant prostate cancer cell lines and in primary tumors. In castration-resistant prostate cancer specimens, the copy number at the miR-1205 locus correlated with expression of miR-1205. Furthermore, functional analysis with an miR-1205 mimic, an miR-1205 inhibitor, and CRISPR/Cas9 knockout revealed that, in human prostate cancer cells, miR-1205 promoted cell proliferation and cell cycle progression and inhibited hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis. In these cells, miR-1205 downregulated expression of the Egl-9 family hypoxia inducible factor 3 (EGLN3) gene and targeted a site in its 3’-untranslated region to downregulate its transcriptional activity. Thus, by targeting EGLN3, miR-1205 has an oncogenic role and may contribute to the genetic risk of castration-resistant prostate cancer.