We also analyzed the mRNA levels of target genes that candidate miRNAs might regulate in patient tissues. miR-214-3p was highly expressed in tissues and exosomes derived from EOC with high malignancy and also found to regulate the expression of LIM homeobox domain 6 (LHX6) mRNA.
The correlation between LIM and SH3 domain-containing protein expression levels in cancer and the poor outcome and metastatic behavior of tumors denotes the clinical significance of this protein and hints its potential value as a new cancer prognostic or even diagnostic biomarker.
More in-depth research concerning LIM homeobox genes in cancer from a signaling pathway perspective may help to understand tumor profiles, establish biomarkers and guide choices for combinatorial drug therapies.
In particular, all members of the human LIM-domain-only (LMO) proteins, LMO1-4, which are required for many developmental processes, are implicated in the onset or the progression of several cancers, including T cell leukaemia, breast cancer and neuroblastoma.
LIM and SH3 protein 1 (LASP1) is an actin-binding protein which is overexpressed in many types of cancers and plays important roles in cancer progression. however, the role of LASP1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is still unknown.
LMO4, a member of the LIM-only family of zinc-finger proteins, is overexpressed in more than 50% of primary breast cancers and cell lines, implying a role in the pathogenesis of this cancer.