Changes in Expression of miR-1297 and PTEN Tumor Suppressor Gene in T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Background and purpose: T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a type of blood malignancy caused by changes in the precursors of T lymphocyte cells. The PTEN gene is one of the most common tumor suppressor genes that mutates in most human cancers, including T-ALL. Therefore, it is important to identify miRNAs that target the PTEN gene in T-ALL. For this purpose, in the present study, miRNAs targeting PTEN gene in T-ALL patients were examined. Materials and methods: The miRNAs targeting PTEN was predicted and selected using bioinformatics. A total of 40 plasma samples were collected from T-ALL patients and healthy individuals. After RNA extraction and synthesis of cDNA, the expression levels of predicted miRNA and PTEN were assessed by Real time PCR in REST 2009. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS V16 and P<0.05 were considered significant. Results: Bioinformatics showed that miR-1297 target the PTEN gene. Compared to healthy individuals, in T-ALL patients, the expression levels of miR-1297 and PTEN gene in the plasma significantly increased (45.93, P= 0.001) and decreased (0.191, P= 0.001), respectively. Conclusion: The present study showed that miR-1297 is likely to target the PTEN gene. Therefore, miR-1297 could serve as a new and non-invasive biomarker in diagnosis and treatment of T-ALL.