FERM domain-containing protein 6 exerts a tumor-inhibiting role in thyroid cancer by antagonizing oncogenic YAP1

Identification of Tumor Budding-Associated Genes in Breast Cancer through Transcriptomic Profiling and Network Diffusion Analysis

Breast cancer has the highest diagnosis rate among all cancers. Tumor budding (TB) is recognized as a recent prognostic marker. Identifying genes specific to high-TB samples is crucial for hindering tumor progression and metastasis. In this study, we utilized an RNA sequencing technique, called TempO-Seq, to profile transcriptomic data from breast cancer samples, aiming to identify biomarkers for high-TB cases. Through differential expression analysis and mutual information, we identified seven genes (NOL4, STAR, C8G, NEIL1, SLC46A3, FRMD6, and SCARF2) that are potential biomarkers in breast cancer. To gain more relevant proteins, further investigation based on a protein-protein interaction network and the network diffusion technique revealed enrichment in the Hippo signaling and Wnt signaling pathways, promoting tumor initiation, invasion, and metastasis in several cancer types. In conclusion, these novel genes, recognized as overexpressed in high-TB samples, along with their associated pathways, offer promising therapeutic targets, thus advancing treatment and diagnosis for breast cancer.

High-tissue FRMD6 expression predicts better outcomes among colorectal cancer patients

INTRODUCTION

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths. The hippo pathway works as a regulator of organ growth and is often a target for mutations in cancer. Ferm domain containing protein 6 (FRMD6) is an activator of the hippo pathway. This study aimed to explore the role of FRMD6 in CRC and to determine how well it works as a prognostic factor among CRC patients.

METHODS

The tumor expression of FRMD6 was evaluated using immunohistochemistry in 538 colorectal patients operated on at Helsinki University Hospital. We assessed FRMD6 expression with clinicopathological parameters and the impact of FRMD6 expression on survival.

RESULTS

Patients with a high FRMD6 expression exhibited a better prognosis (univariable hazard ratio [HR] 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.41-0.81), with a 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) of 66.3%. By contrast, patients with a low FRMD6 expression had a 5-year DSS of 52.8%. A high FRMD6 expression level served as an independent predictor for better survival in the Cox multivariable survival analysis (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.33-0.86).

DISCUSSION

To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that a high FRMD6 expression is an independent marker for a better prognosis in CRC and could help determine the prognosis for CRC patients.

MiR-20b Tissue Expression Level Displays the Diagnostic Value in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Background

Detection of cancer in patients with thyroid nodules requires sensitive and specific diagnostic modalities that are accurate and inexpensive. This study aimed to identify a potential microRNA(miRNA) panel to detect papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods

Following a comprehensive literature review as well as miRNA target predictor databases, Real-time PCR was used to quantify the expression of candidate miRNAs in 59 tissue specimens from 30 patients with PTC and 29 patients with benign nodules. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the accuracy of miRNA expression levels compared to the pathology report as the gold standard. Based on prediction results, four miRNAs, including miR-9, miR-20b, miR-221, and miR-222, were selected to evaluate their expression level in Iranian thyroid samples.

Results

A significant difference between the tissue expression level of miR-20b, miR-9, miR-222, and miR-221 was detected in the PTC group compared with non-PTC (P < 0.05). The area under the curves for the included miRs were 1, 0.98, 0.99, 0.98, and 1, respectively.

Conclusion

Our results confirmed deregulations of miR-20b as well as miR-222, miR-221, and miR-9 in PTC and, therefore, could be used as a helpful miRNA panel to differentiate PTC from benign nodules, which results in the more efficient clinical management of PTC patients.

CircRNA VPRBP inhibits tumorigenicity of cervical cancer via miR-93-5p/FRMD6 axis

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor that threatens the life and health of women. Circular RNA (circRNA) is a research hotspot in human diseases including cervical cancer. However, the research of circRNA viral protein R-binding protein (circ_VPRBP) in cervical cancer is blank.

METHODS

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of target genes in cervical cancer tissues and cells. The expression of related proteins was detected by western blot. The localization of circ_VPRBP was detected by nuclear cytoplasmic separation, and the stability of circ_VPRBP was verified by actinomycin D. After transfection with oligonucleotides and/or plasmids, cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis were detected by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2, 5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), colony formation, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), transwell, or flow cytometry assays. Mechanistically, the interaction between microRNA-93-5p (miR-93-5p) and circ_VPRBP/FERM domain containing 6 (FRMD6) was verified by dual luciferase reporter assay. Animal experiment was conducted to investigate the role of circ_VPRBP in vivo.

RESULTS

Circ_VPRBP was down-regulated in cervical cancer tissues and cells, and overexpression of circ_VPRBP inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of Caski and C33A cells. MiR-93-5p was a target of circ_VPRBP, and miR-93-5p mimic reversed the effect of circ_VPRBP on cell behavior. FRMD6 was a downstream target of miR-93-5p, and down-regulated FRMD6 reversed the cell viability, migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells inhibited by anti-miR-93-5p. Circ_VPRBP inhibited tumor growth by regulating miR-93-5p and FRMD6 in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Circ_VPRBP inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion and promoted cell apoptosis of cervical cancer cells by regulating miR-93-5p/FRMD6 axis.