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Zhang J, Xu X, Deng H, Liu L, Xiang Y, Feng J. Overcoming cancer drug-resistance calls for novel strategies targeting abnormal alternative splicing. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 261:108697. [PMID: 39025436 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108697] [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: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Abnormal gene alternative splicing (AS) events are strongly associated with cancer progression. Here, we summarize AS events that contribute to the development of drug resistance and classify them into three categories: alternative cis-splicing (ACS), alternative trans-splicing (ATS), and alternative back-splicing (ABS). The regulatory mechanisms underlying AS processes through cis-acting regulatory elements and trans-acting factors are comprehensively described, and the distinct functions of spliced variants, including linear spliced variants derived from ACS, chimeric spliced variants arising from ATS, and circRNAs generated through ABS, are discussed. The identification of dysregulated spliced variants, which contribute to drug resistance and hinder effective cancer treatment, suggests that abnormal AS processes may together serve as a precise regulatory mechanism enabling drug-resistant cancer cell survival or, alternatively, represent an evolutionary pathway for cancer cells to adapt to changes in the external environment. Moreover, this review summarizes recent advancements in treatment approaches targeting AS-associated drug resistance, focusing on cis-acting regulatory elements, trans-acting factors, and specific spliced variants. Collectively, gaining an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms underlying aberrant alternative splicing events and developing strategies to target this process hold great promise for overcoming cancer drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China; Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Key Laboratory of Luzhou, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China
| | - Xinyu Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China; Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Key Laboratory of Luzhou, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China
| | - Hongwei Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China; Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Key Laboratory of Luzhou, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China; Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Key Laboratory of Luzhou, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China
| | - Yuancai Xiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou city, Sichuan 646000, China.
| | - Jianguo Feng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China; Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Key Laboratory of Luzhou, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China; Nucleic Acid Medicine of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China.
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2
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Mohammad T, Zolotovskaia MA, Suntsova MV, Buzdin AA. Cancer fusion transcripts with human non-coding RNAs. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1415801. [PMID: 38919532 PMCID: PMC11196610 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1415801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer chimeric, or fusion, transcripts are thought to most frequently appear due to chromosomal aberrations that combine moieties of unrelated normal genes. When being expressed, this results in chimeric RNAs having upstream and downstream parts relatively to the breakpoint position for the 5'- and 3'-fusion components, respectively. As many other types of cancer mutations, fusion genes can be of either driver or passenger type. The driver fusions may have pivotal roles in malignisation by regulating survival, growth, and proliferation of tumor cells, whereas the passenger fusions most likely have no specific function in cancer. The majority of research on fusion gene formation events is concentrated on identifying fusion proteins through chimeric transcripts. However, contemporary studies evidence that fusion events involving non-coding RNA (ncRNA) genes may also have strong oncogenic potential. In this review we highlight most frequent classes of ncRNAs fusions and summarize current understanding of their functional roles. In many cases, cancer ncRNA fusion can result in altered concentration of the non-coding RNA itself, or it can promote protein expression from the protein-coding fusion moiety. Differential splicing, in turn, can enrich the repertoire of cancer chimeric transcripts, e.g. as observed for the fusions of circular RNAs and long non-coding RNAs. These and other ncRNA fusions are being increasingly recognized as cancer biomarkers and even potential therapeutic targets. Finally, we discuss the use of ncRNA fusion genes in the context of cancer detection and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tharaa Mohammad
- Laboratory for Translational and Genomic Bioinformatics, Moscow Center for Advanced Studies, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Molecular Genetic Technologies, Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Endocrinology Research Center, Moscow, Russia
| | - Marianna A. Zolotovskaia
- Laboratory for Translational and Genomic Bioinformatics, Moscow Center for Advanced Studies, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Molecular Genetic Technologies, Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Endocrinology Research Center, Moscow, Russia
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Anton A. Buzdin
- Laboratory for Translational and Genomic Bioinformatics, Moscow Center for Advanced Studies, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Molecular Genetic Technologies, Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Endocrinology Research Center, Moscow, Russia
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- PathoBiology Group, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), Brussels, Belgium
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
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Thamjamrassri P, Ariyachet C. Circular RNAs in Cell Cycle Regulation of Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6094. [PMID: 38892280 PMCID: PMC11173060 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116094] [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: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer has been one of the most problematic health issues globally. Typically, all cancers share a common characteristic or cancer hallmark, such as sustaining cell proliferation, evading growth suppressors, and enabling replicative immortality. Indeed, cell cycle regulation in cancer is often found to be dysregulated, leading to an increase in aggressiveness. These dysregulations are partly due to the aberrant cellular signaling pathway. In recent years, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been widely studied and classified as one of the regulators in various cancers. Numerous studies have reported that circRNAs antagonize or promote cancer progression through the modulation of cell cycle regulators or their associated signaling pathways, directly or indirectly. Mostly, circRNAs are known to act as microRNA (miRNA) sponges. However, they also hold additional mechanisms for regulating cellular activity, including protein binding, RNA-binding protein (RBP) recruitment, and protein translation. This review will discuss the current knowledge of how circRNAs regulate cell cycle-related proteins through the abovementioned mechanisms in different cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pannathon Thamjamrassri
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Medical Biochemistry Program, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Chaiyaboot Ariyachet
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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Xu SM, Cheng Y, Fisher H, Janitz M. Recent advances in the investigation of fusion RNAs and their role in molecular pathology of cancer. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2024; 168:106529. [PMID: 38246262 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2024.106529] [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: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Gene fusions have had a significant role in the development of various types of cancer, oftentimes involved in oncogenic activities through dysregulation of gene expression or signalling pathways. Some cancer-associated chromosomal translocations can undergo backsplicing, resulting in fusion-circular RNAs, a more stable isoform immune to RNase degradation. This stability makes fusion circular RNAs a promising diagnostic biomarker for cancer. While the detection of linear fusion RNAs and their function in certain cancers have been described in literature, fusion circular RNAs lag behind due to their low abundance in cancer cells. This review highlights current literature on the role of linear and circular fusion transcripts in cancer, tools currently available for detecting of these chimeric RNAs and their function and how they play a role in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Mei Xu
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yuning Cheng
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Harry Fisher
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Janitz
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Ning J, Luo Y, Chen L, Xiao G, Tanzhu G, Zhou R. CircRNAs and lung cancer: Insight into their roles in metastasis. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 166:115260. [PMID: 37633056 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115260] [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: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. A major contributing factor to the poor survival rates in lung cancer is the high prevalence of metastasis at the time of diagnosis. To address this critical issue, it is imperative to investigate the mechanisms underlying lung cancer metastasis. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a distinct type of ribonucleic acid characterized by their unique circular structure, have been implicated in the progression of various diseases. Recent studies have highlighted the close association between circRNAs and the occurrence and development of lung cancer, particularly in relation to metastasis. In this review, we provide a concise overview of the expression patterns and prognostic significance of circRNAs in lung cancer. Additionally, we summarized the current understanding of the clinical relevance of circRNAs in lung cancer metastasis. Furthermore, we systematically focused on the roles of circRNAs in each step of lung cancer metastasis, reflecting the sequential progression of this process. Notably, circRNAs exhibit dual functionality in lung cancer metastasis, acting both as facilitators and inhibitors of metastatic processes. Given their potential, circRNAs hold promise as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for lung cancer metastasis, warranting further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaoyang Ning
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Yi Luo
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Center of Coronary Circulation, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Liu Chen
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Gang Xiao
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Guilong Tanzhu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
| | - Rongrong Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; Xiangya Lung Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China.
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Wei J, Li M, Xue C, Chen S, Zheng L, Deng H, Tang F, Li G, Xiong W, Zeng Z, Zhou M. Understanding the roles and regulation patterns of circRNA on its host gene in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:86. [PMID: 37060016 PMCID: PMC10105446 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02657-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel type of endogenous non-coding RNAs, which are covalently closed loop structures formed by precursor mRNAs (pre-mRNAs) through back-splicing. CircRNAs are abnormally expressed in many tumors, and play critical roles in a variety of tumors as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes by sponging miRNAs, regulating alternative splicing and transcription, cis-regulating host genes, interacting with RNA binding proteins (RBPs) or encoding polypeptides. Among them, the regulation of circRNAs on their corresponding host genes is a critical way for circRNAs to exit their functions. Accumulating evidence suggests that circRNAs are able to regulate the expression of host genes at the transcriptional level, post-transcriptional level, translational level, post-translational level, or by encoding polypeptides. Therefore, this paper mainly summarized the roles and association of circRNAs and their corresponding host genes in tumorigenesis and tumor progression, generalized the circRNAs that function synergistically or antagonistically with their host genes, and elaborated the mechanisms of mutual regulation between circRNAs and their host genes. More importantly, this review provides specific references for revealing the potential application of circRNAs combined with their host genes in tumor diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxia Wei
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Mengna Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Changning Xue
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Shipeng Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Lemei Zheng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Hongyu Deng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Faqing Tang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Guiyuan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Ming Zhou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China.
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China.
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China.
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7
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Yan T, Tian X, Liu F, Liu Q, Sheng Q, Wu J, Jiang S. The emerging role of circular RNAs in drug resistance of non-small cell lung cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1003230. [PMID: 36303840 PMCID: PMC9592927 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1003230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the characteristics of aggressiveness and high risk of postoperative recurrence, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a serious hazard to human health, accounting for 85% of all lung cancer cases. Drug therapies, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, are effective treatments for NSCLC in clinics. However, most patients ultimately develop drug resistance, which is also the leading cause of treatment failure in cancer. To date, the mechanisms of drug resistance have yet to be fully elucidated, thus original strategies are developed to overcome this issue. Emerging studies have illustrated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) participate in the generation of therapeutic resistance in NSCLC. CircRNAs mediate the modulations of immune cells, cytokines, autophagy, ferroptosis and metabolism in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which play essential roles in the generation of drug resistance of NSCLC. More importantly, circRNAs function as miRNAs sponges to affect specific signaling pathways, directly leading to the generation of drug resistance. Consequently, this review highlights the mechanisms underlying the relationship between circRNAs and drug resistance in NSCLC. Additionally, several therapeutic drugs associated with circRNAs are summarized, aiming to provide references for circRNAs serving as potential therapeutic targets in overcoming drug resistance in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinghao Yan
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xinchen Tian
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fen Liu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Qingbin Liu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Qing Sheng
- School of Architecture and Fine Art, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Jianlin Wu
- School of Basic Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Jianlin Wu, ; Shulong Jiang,
| | - Shulong Jiang
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- *Correspondence: Jianlin Wu, ; Shulong Jiang,
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