Journal of hepatology
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Journal of hepatology · May 2010
The let-7 family of microRNAs inhibits Bcl-xL expression and potentiates sorafenib-induced apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma.
Bcl-xL, an anti-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, is over-expressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma, conferring a survival advantage to tumour cells. The mechanisms underlying its dysregulation have not been clarified. In the present study, we explored the involvement of microRNAs that act as endogenous sequence-specific suppressors of gene expression. ⋯ let-7 microRNAs negatively regulate Bcl-xL expression in human hepatocellular carcinomas and induce apoptosis in cooperation with an anti-cancer drug targeting Mcl-1.