MiR-124-3p inhibits tumor progression in prostate cancer by targeting EZH2

miR-124-3p inhibits CRC proliferation, migration, and invasion by targeting ITGB1

Colorectal cancer (CRC) was the third most common cause of mortality associated with cancer globally. miR-124-3p has been widely acknowledged for its pivotal role as a tumor suppressor in various malignancies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the specific functions and underlying mechanisms of miR-124-3p in CRC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. A comprehensive set of assays, including CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing assays, flow cytometry, RT-qPCR and Western blotting, were conducted to assess the impact of miR-124-3p expression on CRC cell growth. Our investigations into miR-124-3p and its potential target gene ITGB1 were facilitated through bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assays. To further solidify our findings, rescue experiments were executed to validate the role of miR-124-3p in regulating the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of CRC cells, genes involving Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were also detected. Our study revealed that the overexpression of miR-124-3p significantly suppressed both the proliferation and migratory capabilities of CRC cells, while its downregulation had the opposite effect. Notably, ITGB1 was identified as a putative target gene of miR-124-3p, exhibiting an inverse correlation with the expression levels of miR-124-3p. Moreover, the overexpression of ITGB1 was able to abrogate the inhibitory effects exerted by miR-124-3p overexpression on CRC cell proliferation, migration, and Wnt1/β-catenin protein levels. Our results reveal that miR-124-3p targets ITGB1 to regulate CRC cell proliferation and migration may be associated with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. These findings provide that a miR-124-3p/ITGB1 axis may be a potential target for the treatment of CRC.

The implications for urological malignancies of non-coding RNAs in the the tumor microenvironment

Urological malignancies are a major global health issue because of their complexity and the wide range of ways they affect patients. There's a growing need for in-depth research into these cancers, especially at the molecular level. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) – these don't code for proteins but are crucial in controlling genes – and the tumor microenvironment (TME), which is no longer seen as just a background factor but as an active player in cancer progression. Understanding how ncRNAs and the TME interact is key for finding new ways to diagnose and predict outcomes in urological cancers, and for developing new treatments. This article reviews the basic features of ncRNAs and goes into detail about their various roles in the TME, focusing specifically on how different ncRNAs function and act in urological malignancies.

High expression of SLC34A2 contributes to chemoresistance of non-small cell lung cancer against gefitinib: The critical role of miR-124-3p

Gefitinib is a therapeutic agent used to treat lung carcinoma, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, mechanisms underlying NSCLC cell resistance to gefitinib remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, we explored the association between the miR-124-3p/SLC34A2 axis and gefitinib resistance using a series of in vivo and in vitro assays. Data indicated that miR-124-3p is downregulated, while SLC34A2 is upregulated, in gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cells. Overexpression of miR-124-3p reduced NSCLC cell resistance to gefitinib by suppressing cell viability, inducing apoptosis, and decreasing N-cadherin expression. Conversely, inhibiting miR-124-3p in NSCLC cells led to increased cell viability and reduced apoptosis. Overexpression of SLC34A2 in NSCLC cells further heightened gefitinib resistance. In a xenograft mouse model, SLC34A2 overexpression promoted solid tumor growth and metastasis, while miR-124-3p overexpression inhibited these effects. Our results highlight that the interaction between miR-124-3p and SLC34A2 plays an indispensable role in determining gefitinib resistance in NSCLC cells.

MiR-124-3p inhibits cell stemness in glioblastoma via targeting EPHA2 through ALKBH5-mediated m6A modification

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive form of glioma, characterized by high mortality and poor prognosis. Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) plays a critical role in the progression and metastasis of GBM. This study aimed to investigate the role and molecular mechanism of miR-124-3p in GBM. Levels of miR-124-3p, EPHA2, and ALKBH5 were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and stemness were assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, Transwell, and sphere formation assays, respectively. Bioinformatics prediction, dual-luciferase reporter assays, and RNA pull-down experiments were employed to validate the target of miR-124-3p. RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (Me-RIP) were utilized to evaluate the regulation of miR-124-3p maturation by ALKBH5. The results indicated that overexpression of miR-124-3p inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion, and stemness of GBM cells. EPHA2 was identified as a direct downstream target of miR-124-3p, and its overexpression reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-124-3p on cellular functions. Furthermore, miR-124-3p targeted EPHA2 to inactivate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Additionally, ALKBH5 negatively regulated miR-124-3p by impeding its processing. In conclusion, knockdown of ALKBH5 promoted the processing of pri-miR-124-3p, increasing mature miR-124-3p levels, which inhibited the malignant behaviors of GBM cells by targeting EPHA2. These findings highlight the importance of the ALKBH5/miR-124-3p/EPHA2 axis in GBM.

EZH2-associated tumor malignancy: A prominent target for cancer treatment

The discussion in this review centers around the significant relationships between EZH2 and the initiation, progression, metastasis, metabolism, drug resistance, and immune regulation of cancer. Polycomb group (PcG) proteins, which encompass two primary Polycomb repressor complexes (PRC1 and PRC2), have been categorized. PRC2 consists mainly of four subunits, namely EZH2, EED, SUZ12, and RbAp46/48. As the crucial catalytic component within the PRC2 complex, EZH2 plays a pivotal role in controlling a wide range of biological processes. Overexpression/mutations of EZH2 have been detected in a wide variety of tumors. Several mechanisms of EZH regulation have been identified, including regulation EZH2 mRNA by miRNAs, LncRNAs, accessibility to DNA via DNA-binding proteins, post-translational modifications, and transcriptional regulation. EZH2 signaling triggers cancer progression and may intervene with anti-tumor immunity; therefore it has charmed attention as an effective therapeutic target in cancer therapy. Numerous nucleic acid-based therapies have been used in the modification of EZH2. In addition to gene therapy approaches, pharmaceutical compounds can be used to target the EZH2 signaling pathway in the treatment of cancer. EZH2-associated tumor cells and immune cells enhance the effects of the immune response in a variety of human malignancies. The combination of epigenetic modifying agents, such as anti-EZH2 compounds with immunotherapy, could potentially be efficacious even in the context of immunosuppressive tumors. Summary, understanding the mechanisms underlying resistance to EZH2 inhibitors may facilitate the development of novel drugs to prevent or treat relapse in treated patients.

MicroRNA signature of stromal-epithelial interactions in prostate and breast cancers

Stromal-epithelial communication is an absolute necessity when it comes to the morphogenesis and pathogenesis of solid tissues, including the prostate and breast. So far, signalling pathways of several growth factors have been investigated. Besides such chemical factors, non-coding RNAs such as miRNAs have recently gained much interest because of their variety and complexity of action. Prostate and breast tissues being highly responsive to steroid hormones such as androgen and estrogen, respectively, it is not surprising that a huge set of available literature critically investigated the interplay between such hormones and miRNAs, especially in carcinogenesis. This review showcases our effort to highlight hormonally-related miRNAs that also somehow perturb the regular stromal-epithelial interactions during carcinogenesis in the prostate and breast. In future, we look forward to exploring how hormonal changes in the tissue microenvironment bring about miRNA-mediated changes in stromal-epithelial interactome in carcinogenesis and cancer progression.

FOXS1 acts as an oncogene and induces EMT through FAK/PI3K/AKT pathway by upregulating HILPDA in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a widespread global health concern characterized by elevated rates of occurrence, and there is a need for novel therapeutic targets to enhance patient outcomes. FOXS1 is closely linked to different cancers, but its function in PCa is still unknown. The expression of FOXS1, its prognostic role, clinical significance in PCa, and the potential mechanism by which FOXS1 affects PCa progression were investigated through bioinformatics analysis utilizing public data. The levels of FOXS1 and HILPDA were evaluated in clinical PCa samples using various methods, such as western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and qRT-PCR. To examine the function and molecular mechanisms of FOXS1 in PCa, a combination of experimental techniques including CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, wound-healing assay, Transwell assay, and Co-IP assay were employed. The FOXS1 expression levels were significantly raised in PCa, correlating strongly with tumor aggressiveness and an unfavorable prognosis. Regulating FOXS1 expression, whether upregulating or downregulating it, correspondingly enhanced or inhibited the growth, migration, and invasion capabilities of PCa cells. Mechanistically, we detected a direct interaction between FOXS1 and HILPDA, resulting in the pathway activation of FAK/PI3K/AKT and facilitation EMT in PCa cells. FOXS1 collaborates with HILPDA to initiate EMT, thereby facilitating the PCa progression through the FAK/PI3K/AKT pathway activation.