Characterization of the promoter of 1A6/DRIM, a novel cancer-related gene and identification of its transcriptional activator

hsa-miR-875-5p inhibits tumorigenesis and suppresses TGF-β signalling by targeting USF2 in gastric cancer

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies, and an increasing number of studies have shown that its pathogenesis is regulated by various miRNAs. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-875-5p in GC.

Methods

The expression of miR-875-5p was detected in human GC specimens and cell lines by miRNA qRT–PCR. The effect of miR-875-5p on GC proliferation was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) proliferation and 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays. Migration and invasion were examined by transwell migration and invasion assays as well as wound healing assays. The interaction between miR-875-5p and its target gene upstream stimulatory factor 2(USF2) was verified by dual luciferase reporter assays. The effects of miR-875-5p in vivo were studied in xenograft nude mouse models. Related proteins were detected by western blot.

Results

The results showed that miR-875-5p inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of GC cells in vitro and inhibited tumorigenesis in vivo. USF2 was proved to be a direct target of miR-875-5p. Knockdown of USF2 partially counteracted the effects of miR-875-5p inhibitor. Overexpression of miR-875-5p could inhibit proliferation, migration and invasion and suppress the TGF-β signalling pathway by downregulating USF2.

Conclusions

MiR-875-5p can inhibit the progression of GC by directly targeting USF2. And in the future, miR-875-5p is expected to be a potential target for GC diagnosis and treatment.

KIAA0649, a 1A6/DRIM-interacting protein with the oncogenic potential

We identified a 1A6/DRIM (down-regulated in metastasis) interacting protein, KIAA0649 during the yeast two-hybrid screen. The interaction between KIAA0649 and 1A6/DRIM was further confirmed by GST-pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation assays. KIAA0649 was originally identified from human brain tissue. However, its biological function remains unknown. In this report, we showed that KIAA0649 mRNA is widely expressed in human multiple tissues and cell lines. We have also demonstrated that KIAA0649 has oncogenic characteristics: it enhances colony formation, allows anchorage-independent growth. Moreover, KIAA0649 exogenous expression in NIH3T3 fibroblasts caused tumor development in nude mice.

Genetically distinct and clinically relevant subtypes of glioblastoma defined by array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH)

To optimize treatment strategies for patients with glioblastoma, a more precise understanding of the molecular basis of this disease clearly is necessary. Therefore, numerous studies have focused on the molecular biology of glioblastoma and its linkage to clinical behavior. Here we investigated 70 glioblastomas using the array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) with GenoSensor Array 300 to identify recurrent DNA copy number imbalances associated with patient outcomes. Univariate log-rank analysis of array-CGH data revealed 46 copy number aberrations (CNAs) associated with outcome. Among them, 26 CNAs were associated with shortened survival whereas the remaining 20 CNAs correlated with good prognosis. A hierarchical cluster analysis disclosed two genetically distinct groups of glioblastomas (1 and 2; 56 and 14 tumors, respectively). Univariate log-rank test discerned significant difference in survival between both genetic subsets while the 5-year survival rate consisted of 0 for group 1 and 63% for group 2. Multivariate analysis revealed that unfavorable genetic signature is an independent prognostic factor increasing a risk of patient death (hazard ratio, 4.38; P=0.00001). In conclusion, our current study suggests that glioblastomas can be subdivided into clinically relevant genetic subsets. Therefore, array-CGH screening of glioblastomas could provide clinically useful information and, perhaps, potentially improve the quality of treatment.