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Qiu Z, Yuan X, Wang X, Liu S. Crosstalk between m6A modification and non-coding RNAs in HCC. Cell Signal 2024; 117:111076. [PMID: 38309550 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with high morbidity and occurrence. Although various therapeutic approaches have been rapidly developed in recent years, the underlying molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of HCC remain enigmatic. The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification is believed to regulate RNA metabolism and further gene expression. This process is intricately regulated by multiple regulators, such as methylases and demethylases. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are involved in the regulation of the epigenetic modification, mRNA transcription and other biological processes, exhibiting crucial roles in tumor occurrence and development. The m6A-ncRNA interaction has been implicated in the malignant phenotypes of HCC and plays an important role in drug resistance. This review summarizes the effect of m6A-ncRNA crosstalk on HCC progression and their clinical implications as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zitong Qiu
- Graduate School, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150040, PR China
| | - Xingxing Yuan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Heilongjiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150006, PR China
| | - Xinyue Wang
- International Education College, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150040, PR China
| | - Songjiang Liu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150040, PR China.
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Botwe G, Fang X, Mukhtar YM, Zhou Y, Tang H, Wang M, Zhang J, Fu M, Jiang P, Gu J, Zhang X. Circular RNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for gastrointestinal cancers. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024. [PMID: 38504413 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.16536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Circular RNAs are a class of noncoding RNAs with covalently linked 5' and 3' ends that arise from backsplicing events. The absence of a 5' cap and a 3' poly(A) tail makes circular RNAs relatively more stable than their linear counterparts. They are evolutionary conserved and tissue-specific, and some show disease-specific expression patterns. Although their biological functions remain largely unknown, circular RNAs have been shown to play regulatory roles by acting as microRNA sponges, regulators of RNA-binding proteins, alternative splicing, and parental gene expression, and they could even encode proteins. Over the past few decades, circular RNAs have attracted wide attention in oncology owing to their implications in various tumors. Many circular RNAs have been characterized as key players in gastrointestinal cancers and influence cancer growth, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Accumulating evidence reveals that their unique characteristics, coupled with their critical roles in tumorigenesis, make circular RNAs promising non-invasive clinical biomarkers for gastrointestinal cancers. In the present review, we summarized the biological roles of the emerging circular RNAs and their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets, which may help better understand their clinical significance in the management of gastrointestinal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godwin Botwe
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinjian Fang
- Department of Oncology, Gaochun Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yusif Mohammed Mukhtar
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yue Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haozhou Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Maoye Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiahui Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Min Fu
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Pengcheng Jiang
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianmei Gu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Nantong Tumor Hospital/Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
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Zhang M, Shi J, Pan H, Zhu J, Wang X, Song L, Deng H. A novel tiRNA-Glu-CTC induces nanoplastics accelerated vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching and vascular injury through mitochondrial damage. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169515. [PMID: 38154651 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Nanoplastics pose several health hazards, especially vascular toxicity. Transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are novel noncoding RNAs associated with different pathological processes. However, their biological roles and mechanisms in aberrant vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) plasticity and vascular injury are unclear. This study investigated the potent effects of tsRNAs on vascular injury induced by short- and long-term exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs). Mice were exposed to PS-NPs (100 nm) at different doses (10-100 μg/mL) for 30 or 180 days. High-throughput sequencing was used to analyze tsRNA expression patterns in arterial tissues obtained from an in vivo model. Additionally, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, fluorescent in situ hybridization assays, and dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed to measure the expression and impact of tiRNA-Glu-CTC on VSMCs exposed to PS-NPs. Short-term (≥50 μg/mL, moderate concentration) and long-term (≥10 μg/mL, low concentration) PS-NP exposure induced vascular injury in vivo. Cellular experiments showed that the moderate concentration of PS-NPs induced VSMC phenotypic switching, whereas a high concentration of PS-NPs (100 μg/mL) promoted VSMC apoptosis. PS-NP induced severe mitochondrial damage in VSMCs, including overexpression of reactive oxygen species, accumulation of mutated mtDNA, and dysregulation of genes related to mitochondrial synthesis and division. Compared with the control group, 13 upregulated and 12 downregulated tRNA-derived stress-induced RNAs (tiRNAs) were observed in the long-term PS-NP (50 μg/mL) exposure group. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that differentially expressed tiRNAs targeted genes that were involved in vascular smooth muscle contraction and calcium signaling pathways. Interestingly, tiRNA-Glu-CTC was overexpressed in vivo and in vitro following PS-NP exposure. Functionally, the tiRNA-Glu-CTC inhibitor mitigated VSMC phenotypic switching and mitochondrial damage induced by PS-NP exposure, whereas tiRNA-Glu-CTC mimics had the opposite effect. Mechanistically, tiRNA-Glu-CTC mimics induced VSMC phenotypic switching by downregulating Cacna1f expression. PS-NP exposure promoted VSMC phenotypic switching and vascular injury by targeting the tiRNA-Glu-CTC/Cacna1f axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- Division of Cardiology, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200336 Shanghai, China.
| | - Jun Shi
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huichao Pan
- Division of Cardiology, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200336 Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueting Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200336 Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Song
- Division of Cardiology, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200336 Shanghai, China
| | - Huiping Deng
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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Wu H, Chen S, Hu Z, Ge R, Ma L, You C, Huang Y. Exploring the prognostic potential of m6A methylation regulators in low-grade glioma: implications for tumor microenvironment modulation. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:19. [PMID: 38173044 PMCID: PMC10763210 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01621-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The biological behavior of low-grade glioma (LGG) is significantly affected by N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation, an essential epigenetic alteration. Therefore, it is crucial to create a prognostic model for LGG by utilizing genes that regulate m6A methylation. METHODS Using TCGA and GTEx databases. We examined m6A modulator levels in LGG and normal tissues, and investigated PD-L1 and PD-1 expression, immune scores, immune cell infiltration, tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and potential underlying mechanisms in different LGG clusters. We also performed immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR to identify essential m6A adjustment factor. RESULTS The results showed that m6A regulatory element expression was significantly increased in LGG tissues and was significantly associated with TMIE. A substantial increase in PD-L1 and PD-1 levels in LGG tissues and high-risk cohorts was observed. PD-L1 expression was positively correlated with FTO, ZCCHC4, and HNRNPD, whereas PD-1 expression was negatively correlated with FTO, ZC3H7B, and HNRNPD. The prognostic signature created using regulators of m6A RNA methylation was shown to be strongly associated with the overall survival of LGG patients, and FTO and ZCCHC4 were confirmed as independent prognostic markers by clinical samples. Furthermore, the results revealed different TIME characteristics between the two groups of patients, indicating disrupted signaling pathways associated with LGG. CONCLUSION Our results present that the m6A regulators play vital role in regulating PD-L1/PD-1 expression and the infiltration of immune cells, thereby exerting a sizable impact on the TIME of LGG. Therefore, m6A regulators have precise predictive value in the prognosis of LGG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honggang Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
- Department of Cerebrovascular Disease, The People's Hospital of Leshan, Leshan, 614000, Sichuan, China
| | - Siqi Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, No. 59, Liuting Street, Ningbo, 315010, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ziliang Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, No. 59, Liuting Street, Ningbo, 315010, Zhejiang, China
| | - Rong Ge
- Ningbo Clinical Pathology Diagnosis Center, Ningbo, 315021, China
| | - Lu Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Chao You
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yi Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, No. 59, Liuting Street, Ningbo, 315010, Zhejiang, China.
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Lu J, Ru J, Chen Y, Ling Z, Liu H, Ding B, Jiang Y, Ma J, Zhang D, Ge J, Li Y, Sun F, Chen D, Zheng S, Wu J. N 6 -methyladenosine-modified circSTX6 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by regulating the HNRNPD/ATF3 axis and encoding a 144 amino acid polypeptide. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1451. [PMID: 37877357 PMCID: PMC10599281 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a significant role in the initiation and progression of various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Circular syntaxin 6 (circSTX6, also known as hsa_circ_0007905) has been identified as a microRNA (miRNA) sponge in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, its full range of functions in terms of protein scaffold and translation remain largely unexplored in the context of HCC. METHODS The expression of circSTX6 and its encoded protein was examined in HCC tumour tissues. N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) on circSTX6 was verified and quantified by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (Me-RIP), RIP and dual luciferase reporter assays. The biological functions of circSTX6 and its encoded protein in HCC were clarified by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Mechanistically, the interaction between circSTX6 and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein D (HNRNPD) was investigated by RNA pull-down, RIP and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)/IF. The regulatory effects of circSTX6 and HNRNPD on activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) mRNA were determined by mRNA stability and RIP assays. Furthermore, the presence of circSTX6-encoded protein was verified by mass spectrometry. RESULTS CircSTX6 and its encoded 144 amino acid polypeptide, circSTX6-144aa, were highly expressed in HCC tumour tissues and served as independent risk factors for overall survival in HCC patients. The expression of circSTX6 was regulated by METTL14 in an m6 A-dependent manner. Functionally, circSTX6 accelerated HCC proliferation and tumourigenicity and reinforced tumour metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circSTX6 acted as a sponge for HNRNPD protein, facilitating its binding to ATF3 mRNA, consequently promoting ATF3 mRNA decay. Meanwhile, circSTX6-144aa promoted HCC proliferation, migration and invasion independent of circSTX6 itself. CONCLUSION Collectively, our study reveals that m6 A-modified circSTX6 drives malignancy in HCC through the HNRNPD/ATF3 axis, while its encoded circSTX6-144aa contributes to HCC progression independent of circSTX6. CirSTX6 and its encoded protein hold promise as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in HCC.
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