Ectopic expression of CYP24A1 circular RNA hsa_circ_0060927 in uterine leiomyomas

Illuminating the pathogenic role of SARS-CoV-2: Insights into competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) regulatory networks

The appearance of SARS-CoV-2 in 2019 triggered a significant economic and health crisis worldwide, with heterogeneous molecular mechanisms that contribute to its development are not yet fully understood. Although substantial progress has been made in elucidating the mechanisms behind SARS-CoV-2 infection and therapy, it continues to rank among the top three global causes of mortality due to infectious illnesses. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), being integral components across nearly all biological processes, demonstrate effective importance in viral pathogenesis. Regarding viral infections, ncRNAs have demonstrated their ability to modulate host reactions, viral replication, and host-pathogen interactions. However, the complex interactions of different types of ncRNAs in the progression of COVID-19 remains understudied. In recent years, a novel mechanism of post-transcriptional gene regulation known as "competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA)" has been proposed. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and viral ncRNAs function as ceRNAs, influencing the expression of associated genes by sequestering shared microRNAs. Recent research on SARS-CoV-2 has revealed that disruptions in specific ceRNA regulatory networks (ceRNETs) contribute to the abnormal expression of key infection-related genes and the establishment of distinctive infection characteristics. These findings present new opportunities to delve deeper into the underlying mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, offering potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This progress paves the way for a more comprehensive understanding of ceRNETs, shedding light on the intricate mechanisms involved. Further exploration of these mechanisms holds promise for enhancing our ability to prevent viral infections and develop effective antiviral treatments.

Circular RNA-related CeRNA network and prognostic signature for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background: Circular RNA (circRNA) has an important influence on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) progression as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). However, the link between ceRNAs and the OSCC immune microenvironment is unknown. The research aimed to find circRNAs implicated in OSCC carcinogenesis and progression and build a circRNA-based ceRNA network to create a reliable OSCC risk prediction model. Methods: The expression profiles of circRNA in OSCC tumors and normal tissues were assessed through RNA sequencing. From the TCGA database, clinicopathological data and expression patterns of microRNAs (miRNAs) and mRNAs were obtained. A network of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA was prepared according to these differentially expressed RNAs and was analyzed through functional enrichment. Subsequently, based on the mRNA in the ceRNA network, the influence of the model on prognosis was then evaluated using a risk prediction model. Finally, considering survival, tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs), clinicopathological features, immunosuppressive molecules, and chemotherapy efficacy were analyzed. Results: Eleven differentially expressed circRNAs were found in cancer tissues relative to healthy tissues. We established a network of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA, and the ceRNA network includes 123 mRNAs, six miRNAs, and four circRNAs. By the assessment of Genomes pathway and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes, it is found that in the cellular senescence, PI3K-AKT and mTOR signaling pathway mRNAs were mainly enrichment. An immune-related signature was created utilizing seven immune-related genes in the ceRNA network after univariate and multivariate analysis. The receiver operating characteristic of the nomogram exhibited satisfactory accuracy and predictive potential. According to a Kaplan-Meier analysis, the high-risk group's survival rate was signally lower than the group with low-risk. In addition, risk models were linked to clinicopathological characteristics, TICs, immune checkpoints, and antitumor drug susceptibility. Conclusion: The profiles of circRNAs expression of OSCC tissues differ significantly from normal tissues. Our study established a circRNA-associated ceRNA network associated with OSCC and identified essential prognostic genes. Furthermore, our proposed immune-based signature aims to help research OSCC etiology, prognostic marker screening, and immune response evaluation.

Hsa_circ_0060927 Is a Novel Tumor Biomarker by Sponging miR-195-5p in the Malignant Transformation of OLK to OSCC

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical significance of differentially expressed circRNAs and candidate circRNAs in the transformation of oral leukoplakia (OLK) to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

METHODS

We performed high-throughput circRNA sequencing in six cases of normal oral mucosal (NOM) tissues, six cases of OLK tissues, and six cases of OSCC tissues. Ten circRNAs with significant differential expression were verified by qRT-PCR. Enzyme tolerance assay and Sanger sequencing were performed on the screened target circRNA hsa_circ_0060927, and a qRT-PCR assay of hsa_circ_0060927 was performed in three tissues (24 cases in each group); this was followed by an ROC analysis. The ceRNA network was predicted using TargetScan and miRanda. MiR-195-5p and TRIM14 were selected as the downstream research objects of hsa_circ_0060927. The sponge mechanism of hsa_circ_0060927 was detected by AGO2 RIP. The interaction between hsa_circ_0060927 and miR-195-5p was verified by RNA pull-down assay and dual luciferase reporter gene assay. The expressions of hsa_circ_0060927, miR-195-5p, and TRIM14 were verified by normal oral epithelial primary cells and cell lines of LEUK1, SCC9, and SCC25. The hsa_circ_0060927 overexpressed plasmid and miR-195-5p mimics were constructed to transfection LEUK1 to detect the changes in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration.

RESULTS

The results of qRT-PCR validation were consistent with the sequencing results. Hsa_circ_0060927 is a true circRNA with trans-splicing sites. The expression of hsa_circ_0060927 increased in NOM, OLK, and OSCC. Overexpression of hsa_circ_0060927 enhanced the ability of cell proliferation and migration, and decreased cell apoptosis capacity. The prediction of ceRNA network suggested that hsa_circ_0060927 could regulate the target gene TRIM14 through sponging miR-195-5p. AGO2 RIP indicated that hsa_circ_0060927 had a sponge mechanism. RNA pull-down and dual luciferase reporter gene assay suggested that hsa_circ_0060927 interacted with miR-195-5p. Hsa_circ_0060927 was positively correlated with the expression of TRIM14, and could relieve the inhibition of miR-195-5p on TRIM14 to regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of LEUK1 cells.

CONCLUSION

Hsa_circ_0060927 acted as a potential key ceRNA to sponge downstream miR-195-5p and promote OLK carcinogenesis by upregulating TRIM14. Hsa_circ_0060927 was expected to be a molecular marker for the prevention and treatment of OLK carcinogenesis through the hsa_circ_0060927/miR-195-5p/TRIM14 axis.

A novel circular RNA hsa_circ_0060927 may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker for human colorectal cancer

CYP24A1 plays a role in strictly regulated vitamin D metabolism pathway and has been nominated as a prognostic biomarker for colorectal cancer (CRC). Increasing evidence suggests that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in cancer initiation and progression; however, their diagnostic values in cancers as the new potential biomarkers are still not fully understood. In the present study, by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), we demonstrated that CYP24A1 and hsa_circ_0060927 were only transcribed in 33 and 25 out of 83 CRC tissues, respectively. In these samples, we demonstrated that CYP24A1 was up-regulated in both linear and circular forms (P < 0.05). Furthermore, we showed that CYP24A1and hsa_circ_0060927 transcription were induced after vitamin D treatment in HCT-116 and HT-29 colon cancer cell lines. Importantly, analysis of the ROC curve in expressed samples indicated that CYP24A1 and hsa_circ_0060927 could serve as the potential diagnostic markers of CRC, but due to the fact that these transcripts are not expressed in many samples, the diagnostic role of these transcripts could be rejected. Taken together, for the first time, the results of our study illustrated the expression levels hsa_circ_0060927 in CRC; however, further studies are required to validate the present results.

Ectopic expression of CYP24A1 circular RNA hsa_circ_0060927 in uterine leiomyomas

Background

As a novel class of non‐coding RNAs, the role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in tumor biogenesis and progression has been proved in a number of human tumors; however, up to now, the relation between circRNAs and uterine leiomyomas (ULM) remains unclear.

Methods

In this study, we have estimated the expression level of CYP24A1 hsa_circ_0060927 in uterine leiomyoma and adjacent tissues considering the mediator complex subunit 12 gene (MED12) mutation profile by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCRs).

Results

Using Sanger sequencing method, somatic mutations in the MED12 exon 2 were detected in 14 (35.90%) ULM samples, including 10 (71.43%) missense mutations and 4 (28.57%) in‐frame deletions. Our results revealed that hsa_circ_0060927 was ectopically expressed in 33.33% of ULM tissues; although, this expression was independent of the MED12 mutation profile in the ULM samples.

Conclusions

Present results provide primary evidence for the role of circular RNAs in the leiomyoma development; however, further studies are essential to confirm the importance of these molecules as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and/or prognosis in ULM.