Modulation of microRNA associated with ovarian cancer cells by genistein

Purpose: Role of microRNAs in malignancies is well established due their regulatory role in cellular differentiation, proliferation and cell cycle control. Our purpose was to determine miRNA profiles of serially established ovarian cancer cell lines and the effect of genistein treatment. Methods: Cell lines (UL-3A, UL-3B) were established from one patient during progression of disease. miRNA profiling was performed in untreated and genistein-treated cells. Estrogen receptors (ER) were studied with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western immunoblotting. In vitro migration and invasion assays were utilized. Results: While 108 miRNAs were expressed equally in both cell lines and their genistein-treated counterparts, an additional 53 miRNAs were differentially expressed. Genistein resulted in induction of ERα and ERβ in ovarian cancer cells. A significant reduction in migration and invasion of UL-3A and UL-3B was demonstrated in genistein-treated cells. Conclusion: Common and unique miRNA profiles were demonstrated between the two cell lines, some of which were altered by genistein.