miR-107 regulates the effect of MCM7 on the proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal cancer via the PAK2 pathway

Construction of a cell cycle-specific lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network reveals novel key lncRNAs in colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

The current study aimed to determine the roles of pivotal and novel lncRNAs associated with the cell cycle in the occurrence and development of Colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

The TCGA-COAD project related to CRC was downloaded, and differential expression analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs. A cell cycle-associated lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was constructed, and two novel lncRNAs were selected. Two subnetworks were constructed for selected lncRNAs. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were illustrated for the genes in each sub-network. qPCR analysis was used to validate the expression levels of the selected lncRNAs in CRC tissues compared to those adjacent normal tissues.

RESULTS

The differential expression analysis identified 416 lncRNAs, 317 miRNAs, and 117 mRNAs. The ceRNA subnetwork genes were associated with different pathways, including cellular senescence, DNA replication, human T-cell leukemia virus 1 infection, and oocyte meiosis. The bioinformatic results based on the TCGA project indicated the dysregulation of two novel lncRNAs, MIR29B2CHG and HELLPAR, in CRC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. Moreover, qPCR confirmed the dysregulation of lncRNAs in the CRC tissues. ROC curves revealed that both selected lncRNAs had acceptable specificity and sensitivity as biomarkers.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, novel cell cycle-associated lncRNAs have the potential to be understood as the underlying molecular mechanisms that influence CRC. Therefore, these lncRNAs can be considered as promising biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of CRC.

Prognostic and Clinical Significance of the Proliferation Marker MCM7 in Breast Cancer

INTRODUCTION

Minichromosome maintenance complex component 7 (MCM7) plays an essential role in proliferation and DNA replication of cancer cells. However, the expression and prognostic significance of MCM7 in breast cancer (BC) remain to be defined. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of MCM7 in BC.

METHODS

We conducted immunohistochemistry staining of MCM7 in 1,156 operable early-stage BC samples and assessed MCM7 at the transcriptomic levels using publicly available cohorts (n = 13,430). MCM7 expression was evaluated and correlated with clinicopathological parameters including Ki67 labelling index and patient outcome.

RESULTS

At the transcriptomic level, there was a significant association between high MCM7 mRNA levels and shorter patient survival in the whole cohort and in luminal BC class but not in the basal-like molecular subtype. High MCM7 protein expression was detected in 43% of patients and was significantly associated with parameters characteristic of aggressive tumour behaviour. MCM7 was independently associated with shorter survival, particularly in oestrogen receptor-positive (luminal) BC. MCM7 stratified luminal tumours with aggressive clinicopathological features into distinct prognostic groups. In endocrine therapy-treated BC patients, high MCM7 was associated with poor outcome, but such association disappeared with administration of adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with high expression of Ki67 and MCM7 showed worst survival, while patients with double low expression BC showed the best outcome compared with single expression groups.

CONCLUSION

The current findings indicate that MCM7 expression has a prognostic value in BC and can be used to identify luminal BC patients who can benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

ACSL4 promotes malignant progression of Hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting PAK2 transcription

Long-chain fatty acyl-Coa ligase 4 (ACSL4) is an important enzyme that converts fatty acids to fatty acyl-Coa esters, there is increasing evidence for its role in carcinogenesis. However, the precise role of ACLS4 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not clearly understood. In the present study, we provide evidence that ACSL4 expression was specifically elevated in HCC and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. ACSL4 significantly promotes the growth and metastasis of HCC both in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing and functional experiments showed that the effect of ACSL4 on HCC development was heavily dependent on PAK2. ACSL4 expression is well correlated with PAK2 in HCC, and ACSL4 even transcriptionally increased PAK2 gene expression mediated by Sp1. In addition, emodin, a naturally occurring anthraquinone derivative, inhibited HCC cell growth and tumor progression by targeting ACSL4. In summary, ACSL4 plays a novel oncogene in HCC development by regulating PAK2 transcription. Targeting ACSL4 could be useful in drug development and therapy for HCC.

miR-107 Targets NSG1 to Regulate Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression through ERK Pathway

Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) is a kind of malignant tumor with a poor prognosis and low quality of life in the otolaryngology department. It has been found that microRNA (miRNA) plays an important role in the occurrence and development of various tumors. This study found that the expression level of miRNA-107 (miR-107) in HSCC was significantly reduced. Subsequently, we screened out the downstream direct target gene Neuronal Vesicle Trafficking Associated 1 (NSG1) related to miR-107 through bioinformatics analysis and found that the expression of NSG1 was increased in HSCC tissues. Following the overexpression of miR-107 in HSCC cells, it was observed that miR-107 directly suppressed NSG1 expression, leading to increased apoptosis, decreased proliferation, and reduced invasion capabilities of HSCC cells. Subsequent experiments involving the overexpression and knockdown of NSG1 in HSCC cells demonstrated that elevated NSG1 levels enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while the opposite effect was observed upon NSG1 knockdown. Further investigations revealed that changes in NSG1 levels in the HSCC cells were accompanied by alterations in ERK signaling pathway proteins, suggesting a potential regulatory role of NSG1 in HSCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through the ERK pathway. These findings highlight the significance of miR-107 and NSG1 in hypopharyngeal cancer metastasis, offering promising targets for therapeutic interventions and prognostic evaluations for HSCC.

Immune function status of postoperative patients with colon cancer for predicting liver metastasis

BACKGROUND

Colon cancer (CC) has a high incidence rate. Radical resection is the main treatment method for CC; however, liver metastasis (LM) often occurs post-surgery. The liver contains both innate and adaptive immune cells that monitor and remove abnormal cells and pathogens. Before LM, tumor cells secrete cytokines and exosomes to adjust the immune microenvironment of the liver, thus forming an inhibitory immune microenvironment for colonization by circulating tumor cells. This indicates that the immune state of patients with CC plays a crucial role in the occurrence and progression of LM.

AIM

To observe and analyze the relationship between immune status and expression of tumor factors in patients with LM of CC, and to provide a scientific intervention method for promoting the patient prognosis.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed. The baseline data of 100 patients with CC and 100 patients with CC who suffered from postoperative LM and were admitted to our hospital from May 2021 to May 2023 were included in the non-occurrence and occurrence groups, respectively. The immune status of the patients and the expression of tumor factor-related indicators in the two groups were compared, and the predictive value of the indicators for postoperative LM in patients with CC was analyzed.

RESULTS

Compared with the non-occurrence group, the expression of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA19-9, CA242, CA72-4 and CA50 in patients in the occurrence group were significantly higher, while the expression of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, natural killer (NK) and CD4+/CD25 in patients in the occurrence group were significantly lower (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in other baseline data between groups (P > 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression model analysis revealed that the expressions of CEA, CA19-9, CA242, CA72-4, CA50, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, NK, and CD4+/CD25 were associated with the LM in patients with CC. High expressions of serum CEA, CA19-9, CA242, CA72-4 and CA50, and low expressions of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, NK, and CD4+/CD25 in patients with CC were risk factors for LM (OR > 1, P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the area under curve for CEA, CA19-9, CA242, CA72-4, CA50, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, NK, and CD4+/CD25 in the prediction of LM in patients with CC were all > 0.80, with a high predictive value.

CONCLUSION

The expression of tumor factors and immune state-related indices in patients with CC is closely associated with the occurrence of LM.

Exosomal MFI2-AS1 sponge miR-107 promotes non-small cell lung cancer progression through NFAT5

BACKGROUND

Non-small cell lung cancer is a heterogeneous disease driven by extensive molecular alterations. Exosomes are small vesicles with diameters ranging from 30 to 150 nm released by various cell types and are important mediators of information transmission in tumor cells. Exosomes contain proteins, lipids, and various types of nucleic acids, including miRNAs and even DNA and RNA. MFI2 Antisense RNA 1 (MFI2-AS1) is a long noncoding RNA known to promote cell proliferation, metastasis and invasion in a variety of malignancies.

METHODS

The relative expression of MFI2-AS1 in NSCLC tissues was examined using RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) staining. Transwell migration and wound healing assays were used to analyze cell migration and invasion abilities. Tube formation is used to assess angiogenic capacity. CCK8 was used to assess cell proliferation ability. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) experiments confirmed that MFI2-AS1 acts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-107. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to identify potential binding between MFI2-miRNA and target mRNA. In vivo experiments were performed by injecting exosomes into subcutaneous tumors to establish animal models.

RESULT

Exosomal MFI2-AS1 increases NFAT5 expression by sponging miR-107, which in turn activates the PI3K/AKT pathway. We found that the MFI2-AS1/miR-107/NFAT5 axis plays an important role in exosome-mediated NSCLC progression, is involved in pre-metastatic niche formation, and can be used as a blood-based biomarker for NSCLC metastasis.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate that MFI2-AS1 is upregulated in exosomes secreted by metastatic NSCLC cells and can be transferred to HUVECs, promoting angiogenesis and migration.

Exosome-Transmitted miR-506-3p Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Cell Malignancy via Regulating GSTP1

Exosome-mediated microRNA transfer has been shown to regulate cancer progression. However, the involvement of exosomal-miR-506-3p in colorectal cancer (CRC) is unknown. The goal of the research was to study into the role of exosomal-miR-506-3p in CRC. Using a qRT-PCR experiment, it was observed that CRC tissues had lower levels of miR-506-3p than non-tumor tissues. It was observed that miR-506-3p inhibited the proliferation, regulates apoptosis, and cell cycle of HT29 and SW480 cells as compared to control groups. Dual luciferase reporter assay results showed that GSTP1 was the downstream target molecule of miR-506-3p, which was consistent with the database prediction. Furthermore, FHC cells transfected with miR-506-3p could transfer miR-506-3p to SW480 cells, limiting cell growth and inducing cell death. We discovered a unique regulatory mechanism in which exosome-mediated transfer of miR-506-3p reduces proliferation and induces apoptosis in CRC through negative regulation of GSTP1, implying that exosome-mediated delivery of miR-506-3p provides fresh insight into CRC diagnostics and treatment.

DNA replication: Mechanisms and therapeutic interventions for diseases

Accurate and integral cellular DNA replication is modulated by multiple replication-associated proteins, which is fundamental to preserve genome stability. Furthermore, replication proteins cooperate with multiple DNA damage factors to deal with replication stress through mechanisms beyond their role in replication. Cancer cells with chronic replication stress exhibit aberrant DNA replication and DNA damage response, providing an exploitable therapeutic target in tumors. Numerous evidence has indicated that posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of replication proteins present distinct functions in DNA replication and respond to replication stress. In addition, abundant replication proteins are involved in tumorigenesis and development, which act as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in some tumors, implying these proteins act as therapeutic targets in clinical. Replication-target cancer therapy emerges as the times require. In this context, we outline the current investigation of the DNA replication mechanism, and simultaneously enumerate the aberrant expression of replication proteins as hallmark for various diseases, revealing their therapeutic potential for target therapy. Meanwhile, we also discuss current observations that the novel PTM of replication proteins in response to replication stress, which seems to be a promising strategy to eliminate diseases.

MiR-103a-3p Contributes to the Progression of Colorectal Cancer by Regulating GREM2 Expression

PURPOSE

Our research aimed to investigate the influence of miR-103a-3p on the growth and apoptosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bioinformatics was employed to analyze differentially expressed microRNAs and predict target genes. qRT-PCR was applied to detect the expression of miR-103a-3p in CRC and normal cells. HCT116 and Caco-2 were chosen, and miR-103a-3p mimics, miR-103a-3p inhibitor, as well as specific siRNAs targeting GREM2, were constructed. We subsequently evaluated alternations in cell proliferation, cell cycle and cell cycle regulators, apoptosis, and related proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax) by CCK-8 testing, Western blotting, luciferase reporter, colony formation, and Annexin V-FITC/PI. Possible binding sites for miR-103a-3p on the 3'UTR of GREM2 were checked with luciferase assay, and the impact of GREM2 on miR-103a-3p activity was also validated with above biological function testing. Additionally, the effect of miR-103a-3p knockdown in CRC cells and the molecular mechanism of miR-103a-3p targeting GREM2 were also studied.

RESULTS

Bioinformatics analysis revealed that miR-103a-3p expression increased remarkably in CRC, and targeted regulatory correlation existed between miR-103a-3p and GREM2. MiR-103a-3p inhibitor significantly impeded proliferative capacity and caused cell cycle arrest, as well as apoptosis, in HCT116 and Caco-2 cells. Consistent with this finding, overexpression of GREM2 showed similar effects to miR-103a-3p inhibition. Moreover, we demonstrated that miR-103a-3p connected target GREM2 and GREM2 knockdown reversed the effects of miR-103a-3p inhibitor on HCT116 and Caco-2 cell proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis. Further study showed that miR-103a-3p targeting GREM2 appeared to affect CRC progression via the transforming growth factor-β pathway.

CONCLUSION

MiR-103a-3p could augment CRC progression by targeting GREM2 and that miR-103a-3p/GREM2 could be potential novel targets for CRC therapy.