MAGI2-AS3 rs7783388 polymorphism contributes to colorectal cancer risk through altering the binding affinity of the transcription factor GR to the MAGI2-AS3 promoter

BMSC derived EVs inhibit colorectal Cancer progression by transporting MAGI2-AS3 or something similar

In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) on colorectal cancer (CRC) development. The focus was on the role of MAGI2-AS3, delivered by BMSC-EVs, in regulating USP6NL DNA methylation-mediated MYC protein translation modification to promote CDK2 downregulation. Utilizing bioinformatics analysis, we identified significant enrichment of MAGI2-AS3 related to copper-induced cell death in CRC. In vitro experiments demonstrated the downregulation of MAGI2-AS3 in CRC cells, and BMSC-EVs were found to deliver MAGI2-AS3 to inhibit CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Further exploration revealed that MAGI2-AS3 suppressed MYC protein translation modification by regulating USP6NL DNA methylation, leading to CDK2 downregulation and prevention of colorectal cancer. Overexpression of MYC reversed the functional effects of BMSC-EVs-MAGI2-AS3. In vivo experiments validated the inhibitory impact of BMSC-EVs-MAGI2-AS3 on CRC tumorigenicity by promoting CDK2 downregulation through USP6NL DNA methylation-mediated MYC protein translation modification. Overall, BMSC-EVs-MAGI2-AS3 may serve as a potential intervention to prevent CRC occurrence by modulating key molecular pathways.

A pan-cancer analysis indicates long noncoding RNA HAND2-AS1 as a potential prognostic, immunomodulatory and therapeutic biomarker in various cancers including colorectal adenocarcinoma

The HAND2-AS1 (HAND2 Antisense RNA 1) Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) has emerged as a participant in the initiation of various cancer types, underscoring its pivotal involvement in both oncological processes and immune responses. To gain deeper insights into the functional nuances of HAND2-AS1 and identify novel avenues for cancer immunotherapy, a comprehensive evaluation of this gene was undertaken. Here, based on the co-expression network analysis and construction of interacting lncRNA-mRNA genes, we introduce the HAND2-AS1 lncRNA, emphasizing its key roles in tumorigenesis and immune regulation. Our study spans across 33 distinct cancer types, revealing the HAND2-AS1's aberrant expression patterns, methylation variations, mutational signatures, and immune engagement. Across a majority of tumors, HAND2-AS1 exhibited a propensity for down-regulation, remarkably an association with poor survival outcomes. The outcomes of functional enrichment analyses strongly suggest HAND2-AS1's engagement in tumor progression and its association with various immune pathways across diverse tumor classifications. Additionally, a positive correlation emerged between HAND2-AS1 expression and the infiltration levels of key immune cells, encompassing not only immunosuppressive entities such as tumor-associated macrophages, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and Tregs, but also immune effector cells like NK cells and CD8+ T cells, spanning a pan-cancer context. Furthermore, the differential expression of HAND2-AS1 appears to have downstream consequences on various pathways, thus implicating it as a potential regulator in diverse cancer types. Finally, we have employed CRC tumor and normal samples to carry out clinical validation of HAND2-AS1. Our study unveils HAND2-AS1's potential as a pan-cancer tumor suppressor, and its essential role in the tumorigenesis and immune surveillance. The increased HAND2-AS1 expression emerges as a promising candidate for prognostic evaluation, therapeutic strategy, and a focal point for immunotherapeutic interventions.

The Intergenic Type LncRNA (LINC RNA) Faces in Cancer with In Silico Scope and a Directed Lens to LINC00511: A Step toward ncRNA Precision

BACKGROUND

Long intergenic non-coding RNA, is one type of lncRNA, exerting various cellular activities, as does ncRNA, including the regulation of gene expression and chromatin remodeling. The abnormal expression of lincRNAs can induce or suppress carcinogenesis.

MAIN BODY

LincRNAs can regulate cancer progression through different mechanisms and are considered as potential drug targets. Genetic variations such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in lincRNAs may affect gene expression and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) stability. SNPs in lincRNAs have been found to be associated with different types of cancer, as well. Specifically, LINC00511 has been known to promote the progression of multiple malignancies such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and others, making it a promising cancer prognostic molecular marker.

CONCLUSION

LincRNAs have been proved to be associated with different cancer types through various pathways. Herein, we performed a comprehensive literature and in silico databases search listing lncRNAs, lincRNAs including LINC00511, lncRNAs' SNPs, as well as LINC00511 SNPs in different cancer types, focusing on their role in various cancer types and mechanism(s) of action.

Role of MAGI2-AS3 in malignant and non-malignant disorders

MAGI2 Antisense RNA 3 (MAGI2-AS3) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) transcribed from a locus on 7q21.11. This lncRNA has been described to be abnormally expressed in a variety of malignancies in correlation with many clinical characteristics. Moreover, it might participate in the pathogenesis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia, Alzheimer's disease and intervertebral disc degeneration. Mechanistically, MAGI2-AS3 can serve as a molecular sponge for miR-142-3p, miR-424-5p, miR-15b, miR-233, miR-452-5p, miR-629-5p, miR-25, miR-155, miR-23a-3p, miR-519c-3p, miR-374b-5p, miR-374a, miR-31-5p, miR-3163, miR-525-5p, miR-15-5p, miR-374a-5p, miR-374b-5p, miR-218-5p, miR-141-3p and miR-200a-3p to regulate expression of their mRNA targets. The current review summarizes the role of MAGI2-AS3 in different disorders to highlight its importance in their pathophysiology.

Performance of the Use of Genetic Information to Assess the Risk of Colorectal Cancer in the Basque Population

Although the genetic contribution to colorectal cancer (CRC) has been studied in various populations, studies on the applicability of available genetic information in the Basque population are scarce. In total, 835 CRC cases and 940 controls from the Basque population were genotyped and genome-wide association studies were carried out. Mendelian Randomization analyses were used to discover the effect of modifiable risk factors and microbiota on CRC. In total, 25 polygenic risk score models were evaluated to assess their performance in CRC risk calculation. Moreover, 492 inflammatory bowel disease cases were used to assess whether that genetic information would not confuse both conditions. Five suggestive (p < 5 × 10−6) loci were associated with CRC risk, where genes previously associated with CRC were located (e.g., ABCA12, ATIC or ERBB4). Moreover, the analyses of CRC locations detected additional genes consistent with the biology of CRC. The possible contribution of cholesterol, BMI, Firmicutes and Cyanobacteria to CRC risk was detected by Mendelian Randomization. Finally, although polygenic risk score models showed variable performance, the best model performed correctly regardless of the location and did not misclassify inflammatory bowel disease cases. Our results are consistent with CRC biology and genetic risk models and could be applied to assess CRC risk in the Basque population.

Potentials of long non-coding RNAs as biomarkers of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignant tumor worldwide and the fourth major cause of cancer-related death, with high morbidity and increased mortality year by year. Although significant progress has been made in the therapy strategies for CRC, the great difficulty in early diagnosis, feeble susceptibility to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and high recurrence rates have reduced therapeutic efficacy resulting in poor prognosis. Therefore, it is urgent to understand the pathogenesis of CRC and unravel novel biomarkers to improve the early diagnosis, treatment and prediction of CRC recurrence. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-coding RNAs with a length of more than 200 nucleotides, which are abnormally expressed in tumor tissues and cell lines, activating or inhibiting specific genes through multiple mechanisms including transcription and translation. A growing number of studies have shown that lncRNAs are important regulators of microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) expression in CRC and may be promising biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in the research field of CRC. This review mainly summarizes the potential application value of lncRNAs as novel biomarkers in CRC diagnosis, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and prognosis. Additionally, the significance of lncRNA SNHGs family and lncRNA-miRNA networks in regulating the occurrence and development of CRC is mentioned, aiming to provide some insights for understanding the pathogenesis of CRC and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Long noncoding RNA polymorphisms and colorectal cancer risk: Progression and future perspectives

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers causing death worldwide. Many long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have possible carcinogenic or tumor suppressor functions. Some lncRNA polymorphisms are useful for predicting cancer risk, and may help advance personalized therapy management. While the use of lncRNAs as biomarkers is promising, there are still drawbacks, and further studies are needed to verify the consistency of current outcomes in large-scale populations and different ethnicities. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can disrupt a lncRNAs' function, thus enhancing or hindering disease occurrence. SNPs can directly influence the lncRNA expression by interfering with transcription factor binding or affecting indirectly a regulatory factors' expression. Moreover, the association between lncRNAs and other RNAs or proteins may be disrupted by SNPs. This research sought to assess the association between lncRNA polymorphisms and CRC risk, as well as clinical and therapeutic consequences in certain cases.

VPS9D1-AS1 gene rs7206570 polymorphism associated with the clinical stage of colorectal cancer and binding with hsa-miR-361-3p

VPS9D1-AS1 is a long non-coding RNA that can operate as a competitive endogenous RNA and plays an essential role in the occurrence and development of malignancies, including colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we investigated whether a putative functional polymorphism (rs7206570) in the VPS9D1-AS1 gene is linked to the risk and clinical stage of CRC. Sanger sequencing method was used to detect the rs7206570 polymorphism in 500 CRC patients and 500 healthy individuals. Quantitative real-time PCR technology was used to detect the expression of VPS9D1-AS1 and hsa-miR-361-3p in colorectal tissues with different rs7206570 genotypes. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to examine whether the rs7206570 polymorphism affects hsa-miR-361-3p binding. The rs7206570 polymorphism was not associated with CRC risk, but was associated with the clinical stage of CRC. CRC patients with rs7206570 A allele were less likely to have high-stage CRC. Furthermore, there was a significant negative correlation between the expression of VPS9D1-AS1 and hsa-miR-361-3p in CRC tissues with rs7206570 GG genotype. Dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that the rs7206570 A allele presumably hinders the binding of VPS9D1-AS1 to hsa-miR-361-3p. In conclusion, VPS9D1-AS1 gene rs7206570 polymorphism affecting hsa-miR-361-3p binding was associated with the clinical stage of CRC, which might be able to assist in the preoperative staging of CRC.

A New Story of the Three Magi: Scaffolding Proteins and lncRNA Suppressors of Cancer

Scaffolding molecules exert a critical role in orchestrating cellular response through the spatiotemporal assembly of effector proteins as signalosomes. By increasing the efficiency and selectivity of intracellular signaling, these molecules can exert (anti/pro)oncogenic activities. As an archetype of scaffolding proteins with tumor suppressor property, the present review focuses on MAGI1, 2, and 3 (membrane-associated guanylate kinase inverted), a subgroup of the MAGUK protein family, that mediate networks involving receptors, junctional complexes, signaling molecules, and the cytoskeleton. MAGI1, 2, and 3 are comprised of 6 PDZ domains, 2 WW domains, and 1 GUK domain. These 9 protein binding modules allow selective interactions with a wide range of effectors, including the PTEN tumor suppressor, the β-catenin and YAP1 proto-oncogenes, and the regulation of the PI3K/AKT, the Wnt, and the Hippo signaling pathways. The frequent downmodulation of MAGIs in various human malignancies makes these scaffolding molecules and their ligands putative therapeutic targets. Interestingly, MAGI1 and MAGI2 genetic loci generate a series of long non-coding RNAs that act as a tumor promoter or suppressor in a tissue-dependent manner, by selectively sponging some miRNAs or by regulating epigenetic processes. Here, we discuss the different paths followed by the three MAGIs to control carcinogenesis.

Roles of lncRNA MAGI2-AS3 in human cancers

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are noncoding RNAs more than 200 nucleotides in length. A growing number of reports indicate that lncRNAs play a key role in multiple cancers by serving as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. MAGI2 antisense RNA 3 (MAGI2-AS3) is ubiquitously expressed in human cancers, and the level of MAGI2-AS3 expression is associated with the progression and prognosis of cancers. Moreover, dysregulation of MAGI2-AS3 has been found to regulate cancer cell proliferation, cell death, invasion and metastasis and treatment resistance by serving as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA), epigenomic regulator, and transcriptional regulator. Moreover, increasing evidence shows that MAGI2-AS3 may be a potential biomarker for cancer prognosis and a potential target for cancer therapy. In this review, we summarize current research on the functions, mechanisms and clinical significance of the lncRNA MAGI2-AS3 in cancer development.

Novel insights for lncRNA MAGI2-AS3 in solid tumors

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) refer to elements of genomic transcription with more than 200 nucleotides that are not translated into proteins, but have crucial roles in cancer progression. MAGI2-AS3, a novel lncRNA, has been reported to be aberrantly expressed in many solid tumors. Increasingly, studies have demonstrated that MAGI2-AS3 expression is significantly correlated with patient clinical characteristics, and that MAGI2-AS3 can regulate multiple biological processes through target-gene regulation. Furthermore, MAGI2-AS3 may serve as both a diagnostic biomarker and as a promising therapeutic target against solid tumors. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the biological functions and related molecular mechanisms of MAGI2-AS3 in solid-tumor progression. We conclude that understanding MAGI2-AS3 properties may provide new insights into the diagnoses and treatments of solid tumors.

Identification of a stool long non-coding RNAs panel as a potential biomarker for early detection of colorectal cancer

Background

The feces of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients contain tumor colonocytes, which constantly shed into the lumen area. Therefore, stool evaluation can be considered as a rapid and low‐risk way to directly determine the colon and rectum status. As long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) alterations are important in cancer cells fate regulation, we aimed to assess the level of a panel of cancer‐related lncRNAs in fecal colonocytes.

Methods

The population study consisted of 150 subjects, including a training set, a validation set, and a group of 30 colon polyps. The expression levels of lncRNAs were evaluated by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR). The NPInetr and EnrichR tools were used to identify the interactions and functions of lncRNAs.

Results

A total of 10 significantly dysregulated lncRNAs, including CCAT1, CCAT2, H19, HOTAIR, HULC, MALAT1, PCAT1, MEG3, PTENP1, and TUSC7, were chosen for designing a predictive panel. The diagnostic performance of the panel in distinguishing CRCs from the healthy group was AUC: 0.8554 in the training set and 0.8465 in the validation set. The AUC for early CRCs (I‐II TNM stages) was 0.8554 in the training set and 0.8465 in the validation set, and for advanced CRCs (III‐IV TNM stages) were 0.9281 in the training set and 0.9236 in the validation set. The corresponding AUC for CRCs vs polyps were 0.9228 (I‐IV TNM stages), 0.9042 (I‐II TNM stages), and 0.9362 (III‐IV TNM stages).

Conclusions

These data represented the application of analysis of fecal colonocytes lncRNAs in early detection of CRC.

MAGI2-AS3 rs7783388 polymorphism contributes to colorectal cancer risk through altering the binding affinity of the transcription factor GR to the MAGI2-AS3 promoter

Background

It has been indicated that the single nuclear polymorphisms (SNPs) in the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) have association with colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility.

Methods

We enrolled 1078 cases with CRC and 1175 age‐ and gender‐matched cancer‐free controls to explore whether the polymorphisms in MAGI2‐AS3 have associations with CRC risk. qRT‐PCR, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analyses, dual‐luciferase reporter assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), flow cytometry, and transwell assays were performed to explore the specific mechanisms in which MAGI2‐AS3 rs7783388 variation influenced the tumorigenesis of CRC.

Results

Subjects carrying rs7783388 GG genotype presented a higher risk of CRC compared with the AG/AA genotypes. Mechanistically, we found that the functional genetic variant of rs7783388 A > G decreased binding affinity of transcription factor glucocorticoid receptor (GR) to the MAGI2‐AS3 promoter, resulting in decreased transcriptional activity that subsequently downregulated MAGI2‐AS3 expression. Furthermore, functional experiments elucidated that MAGI2‐AS3 overexpression suppressed CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion capacities, arrested cell cycle at G0/G1 phase, and promoted cell apoptosis.

Conclusion

Taken together, our study demonstrated that the potential function of MAGI2‐AS3 as a tumor suppressor for CRC, and the MAGI2‐AS3 rs7783388 polymorphism is associated with the increased susceptibility to CRC by altering the binding ability of GR to the MAGI2‐AS3 promoter.