Zebiao Ma

Dr. Zebiao Ma


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

10Years (2017-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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11 April 2017 in Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
YXYing Xiong
Ying Xiong
FSFei Sun
Fei Sun
Peixin DongPeixin Dong
Peixin Dong
Hidemichi WatariHidemichi Watari
Hidemichi Watari
Junming YueJunming Yue
Junming Yue
ZMZebiao Ma
Zebiao Ma
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) have important roles in driving chemoresistance. We previously reported that iASPP is a key EMT inducer and could increase cisplatin resistance in cervical cancer (CC) cells. Herein, we investigate the downstream mechanisms through which iASPP contributes to EMT and cisplatin resistance in CC. By using a lentiviral system, we investigated the effects of iASPP knockdown on CC cell growth and chemosensitivity of CC cells to cisplatin in vivo. We examined if miR-20a, which was up-regulated following iASPP overexpression, would influence metastatic phenotypes and cisplatin resistance in CC cells, and explored the possible molecular mechanisms involved. Knockdown of iASPP suppressed CC cell proliferation and sensitized CC cells to cisplatin in vivo. iASPP promotes miR-20a expression in a p53-dependent manner. Upregulation of miR-20a induced EMT and the recovery of CC cell invasion and cisplatin chemoresistance that was repressed by iASPP knockdown. We identified FBXL5 and BTG3 as two direct miR-20a targets. Silencing of FBXL5 and BTG3 restored cell invasion and cisplatin chemoresistance, which was suppressed by iASPP or miR-20a knockdown. Reduced FBXL5 and BTG3 expression was found in CC samples and associated with poor prognosis in CC patients. iASPP promotes EMT and confers cisplatin resistance in CC via miR-20a-FBXL5/BTG3 signaling.