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Liu Y, Yuan H, Fan J, Wang H, Xie H, Wan J, Hu X, Zhou J, Liu L. The pathogenesis mechanism and potential clinical value of lncRNA in gliomas. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:266. [PMID: 38967893 PMCID: PMC11226588 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01144-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioma is the most common malignant tumor in the central nervous system, and its unique pathogenesis often leads to poor treatment outcomes and prognosis. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) divided gliomas into five categories based on their histological characteristics and molecular changes. Non-coding RNA is a type of RNA that does not encode proteins but can exert biological functions at the RNA level, and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is a type of non-coding RNA with a length exceeding 200 nt. It is controlled by various transcription factors and plays an indispensable role in the regulatory processes in various cells. Numerous studies have confirmed that the dysregulation of lncRNA is critical in the pathogenesis, progression, and malignancy of gliomas. Therefore, this article reviews the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration, angiogenesis, immune regulation, glycolysis, stemness, and drug resistance changes caused by the dysregulation of lncRNA in gliomas, and summarizes their potential clinical significance in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Clinical Medical, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Hui Yuan
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Clinical Medical, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - JingJia Fan
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Clinical Medical, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Clinical Medical, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - HuiYu Xie
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Clinical Medical, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - JunFeng Wan
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Clinical Medical, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - XueYing Hu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Clinical Medical, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Dept Neurosurg, Affiliated Hosp, Southwest Med Univ, Luzhou, 646000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Liang Liu
- Dept Neurosurg, Affiliated Hosp, Southwest Med Univ, Luzhou, 646000, People's Republic of China.
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Kobayashi A, Kitagawa Y, Nasser A, Wakimoto H, Yamada K, Tanaka S. Emerging Roles and Mechanisms of RNA Modifications in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Glioma. Cells 2024; 13:457. [PMID: 38474421 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite a long history of research, neurodegenerative diseases and malignant brain tumor gliomas are both considered incurable, facing challenges in the development of treatments. Recent evidence suggests that RNA modifications, previously considered as static components of intracellular RNAs, are in fact dynamically regulated across various RNA species in cells and play a critical role in major biological processes in the nervous system. Innovations in next-generation sequencing have enabled the accurate detection of modifications on bases and sugars within various RNA molecules. These RNA modifications influence the stability and transportation of RNA, and crucially affect its translation. This review delves into existing knowledge on RNA modifications to offer a comprehensive inventory of these modifications across different RNA species. The detailed regulatory functions and roles of RNA modifications within the nervous system are discussed with a focus on neurodegenerative diseases and gliomas. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the fundamental mechanisms and emerging roles of RNA modifications in these diseases, which can facilitate the creation of innovative diagnostics and therapeutics for these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ami Kobayashi
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yosuke Kitagawa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Translational Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ali Nasser
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Translational Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Hiroaki Wakimoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Translational Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Keisuke Yamada
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0075, Japan
| | - Shota Tanaka
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0075, Japan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
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Malakar P, Shukla S, Mondal M, Kar RK, Siddiqui JA. The nexus of long noncoding RNAs, splicing factors, alternative splicing and their modulations. RNA Biol 2024; 21:1-20. [PMID: 38017665 PMCID: PMC10761143 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2023.2286099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The process of alternative splicing (AS) is widely deregulated in a variety of cancers. Splicing is dependent upon splicing factors. Recently, several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to regulate AS by directly/indirectly interacting with splicing factors. This review focuses on the regulation of AS by lncRNAs through their interaction with splicing factors. AS mis-regulation caused by either mutation in splicing factors or deregulated expression of splicing factors and lncRNAs has been shown to be involved in cancer development and progression, making aberrant splicing, splicing factors and lncRNA suitable targets for cancer therapy. This review also addresses some of the current approaches used to target AS, splicing factors and lncRNAs. Finally, we discuss research challenges, some of the unanswered questions in the field and provide recommendations to advance understanding of the nexus of lncRNAs, AS and splicing factors in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pushkar Malakar
- Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, School of Biological Sciences, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational Research Institute (RKMVERI), Kolkata, India
| | - Sudhanshu Shukla
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad, Dharwad, Karnataka, India
| | - Meghna Mondal
- Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, School of Biological Sciences, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational Research Institute (RKMVERI), Kolkata, India
| | - Rajesh Kumar Kar
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jawed Akhtar Siddiqui
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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Almalki WH. Beyond the genome: lncRNAs as regulators of the PI3K/AKT pathway in lung cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 251:154852. [PMID: 37837857 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is a prevalent and devastating disease, representing a significant global health burden. Despite advancements in therapeutic strategies, the molecular mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis remain incompletely understood. Lung cancer typically displays the deregulated activity of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway, which is vital for cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis. Emerging evidence suggests that long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) can modulate the PI3K/AKT pathway, offering new insights into lung cancer biology and potential therapeutic opportunities. These lncRNA act as either oncogenes, promoting pathway activation, or tumour suppressors, attenuating pathway signalling. The dysregulation of lncRNA is associated with various cellular processes, including apoptosis, cell cycle control, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and angiogenesis, ultimately influencing lung cancer growth and metastasis. The development of novel therapeutic strategies, such as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), antisense oligonucleotides, and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, holds promise for restoring lncRNAs dysregulation and re-establishing the equilibrium of the PI3K/AKT pathway. The emerging role of lncRNAs as regulators of the PI3K/AKT pathway sheds new light on the complex molecular landscape of lung cancer. Understanding the interplay between lncRNA and the PI3K/AKT pathway could lead to the identification of novel biomarkers for prognosis and therapeutic targets for precision medicine. The potential of lncRNAs-based therapeutics may pave the way for more effective and personalized treatment approaches in lung cancer and potentially other malignancies with dysregulated PI3K/AKT signalling. This review aims to explore the emerging role of lncRNAs as key regulators of the PI3K/AKT pathway in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waleed Hassan Almalki
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
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Zhang N, Sun Y, Mei Z, He Z, Gu S. Novel insights into mutual regulation between N 6-methyladenosine modification and LncRNAs in tumors. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:127. [PMID: 37365581 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02955-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A), one of the most common RNA methylation modifications, has emerged in recent years as a new layer of the regulatory mechanism controlling gene expression in eukaryotes. As a reversible epigenetic modification, m6A not only occurs on mRNAs but also on Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs). As we all known, despite LncRNAs cannot encode proteins, they affect the expression of proteins by interacting with mRNAs or miRNAs, thus playing important roles in the occurrence and development of a variety of tumors. Up to now, it has been widely accepted that m6A modification on LncRNAs affects the fate of the corresponding LncRNAs. Interestingly, levels and functions of m6A modifications are also mediated by LncRNAs through affecting the m6A methyltransferases (METTL3, METTL14, WTAP, METTL16, etc.), demethylases (FTO, ALKBH5) and methyl-binding proteins (YTHDFs, YTHDCs, IGF2BPs, HNRNPs, etc.), which are collectively referred to as "m6A regulators". In this review, we summarized the mutual regulation mechanisms between N6-methyladenosine modification and LncRNAs in cancer progression, metastasis, invasion and drug resistance. In detail, we focus on the specific mechanisms of m6A modification, which is mediated by methyltransferases and demethylases, involves in the regulation of LncRNA levels and functions in the first part. And section two intensively displays the mediation roles of LncRNAs in m6A modification via changing the regulatory proteins. At last part, we described the interaction effects between LncRNAs and methyl-binding proteins of m6A modification during various tumor occurrence and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhang
- School of Public Health, Institute of Preventive Medicine, Dali University, No. 22, Wanhua Road, Dali, 671000, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifei Sun
- School of Public Health, Institute of Preventive Medicine, Dali University, No. 22, Wanhua Road, Dali, 671000, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zongqin Mei
- School of Public Health, Institute of Preventive Medicine, Dali University, No. 22, Wanhua Road, Dali, 671000, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zuoshun He
- School of Public Health, Institute of Preventive Medicine, Dali University, No. 22, Wanhua Road, Dali, 671000, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shiyan Gu
- School of Public Health, Institute of Preventive Medicine, Dali University, No. 22, Wanhua Road, Dali, 671000, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
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Sanya DRA, Onésime D. Roles of non-coding RNAs in the metabolism and pathogenesis of bladder cancer. Hum Cell 2023:10.1007/s13577-023-00915-5. [PMID: 37209205 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-023-00915-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BC) is featured as the second most common malignancy of the urinary tract worldwide with few treatments leading to high incidence and mortality. It stayed a virtually intractable disease, and efforts to identify innovative and effective therapies are urgently needed. At present, more and more evidence shows the importance of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) for disease-related study, diagnosis, and treatment of diverse types of malignancies. Recent evidence suggests that dysregulated functions of ncRNAs are closely associated with the pathogenesis of numerous cancers including BC. The detailed mechanisms underlying the dysregulated role of ncRNAs in cancer progression are still not fully understood. This review mainly summarizes recent findings on regulatory mechanisms of the ncRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, microRNAs, and circular RNAs, in cancer progression or suppression and focuses on the predictive values of ncRNAs-related signatures in BC clinical outcomes. A deeper understanding of the ncRNA interactive network could be compelling framework for developing biomarker-guided clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ruben Akiola Sanya
- Micalis Institute, Diversité génomique et fonctionnelle des levures, domaine de Vilvert, Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
| | - Djamila Onésime
- Micalis Institute, Diversité génomique et fonctionnelle des levures, domaine de Vilvert, Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
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Liu J, Yang X, Gao S, Wen M, Yu Q. DDX11-AS1 modulates DNA damage repair to enhance paclitaxel resistance of lung adenocarcinoma cells. Pharmacogenomics 2023; 24:163-172. [PMID: 36779347 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2022-0121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: To investigate the influence of DDX11-AS1 on paclitaxel (PTX) resistance in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Methods: LncRNA expression and functional enrichment analyses were processed via bioinformatics methods. DDX11-AS1 expression was detected via quantitative real-time PCR. Cell counting kit-8, colony formation, flow cytometry and comet assays were manipulated to measure cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle and DNA damage repair, respectively. Western blot was used to assess DNA damage-related protein expression. Results: DDX11-AS1 was in a high expression status in LUAD, and could promote LUAD cell proliferation and PTX resistance, while suppressing cell apoptosis. DNA damage repairing ability was also modulated by the change of DDX11-AS1 expression. Conclusion: LncRNA DDX11-AS1 promotes DNA damage repair to enhance PTX resistance in LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhong Liu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhejiang Jinhua Guangfu Cancer Hospital, Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, 321000, China
| | - Xu Yang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhejiang Jinhua Guangfu Cancer Hospital, Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, 321000, China
| | - Shasha Gao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhejiang Jinhua Guangfu Cancer Hospital, Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, 321000, China
| | - Minya Wen
- Department of Laboratory, Jinhua Wenrong Hospital, Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, 322118, China
| | - Qiong Yu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhejiang Jinhua Guangfu Cancer Hospital, Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, 321000, China
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The Cuproptosis-Related Long Noncoding RNA Signature Predicts Prognosis and Immune Cell Infiltration in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2023; 2023:9557690. [PMID: 36891559 PMCID: PMC9988371 DOI: 10.1155/2023/9557690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), ranking as one of the most common malignant tumors, is one of the leading causes of cancer death, with a poor prognosis. Cuproptosis, a novel programmed cell death modality that has just been confirmed recently, may play an important role in HCC prognosis. Long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) is a key participant in tumorigenesis and immune responses. It may be of great significance to predict HCC based on cuproptosis genes and their related LncRNA. Methods The sample data on HCC patients were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Combined with cuproptosis-related genes collected from the literature search, expression analysis was carried out to find cuproptosis genes and their related LncRNAs significantly expressed in HCC. The prognostic model was constructed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and multivariate Cox regression. The feasibility of these signature LncRNAs used for the evaluation of the overall survival rate in HCC patients as independent factors was investigated. The expression profile of cuproptosis, immune cell infiltration, and the status of somatic mutation were analyzed and compared. Results A prognostic model of HCC consisting of seven cuproptosis gene-related LncRNA signatures was constructed. Multiple verification methods have showed that this model can accurately predict the prognosis of HCC patients. It was showed that the classified high-risk group under the risk score of this model had worse survival status, more significant expression of the immune function, and higher mutation frequency. During the analysis, the cuproptosis gene CDKN2A was found to be most closely related to LncRNA DDX11-AS1 in the expression profile of HCC patients. Conclusion The cuproptosis-related signature LncRNA in HCC was identified, on the basis of which a model was constructed, and it was verified that it can be used to predict the prognosis of HCC patients. The potential role of these cuproptosis-related signature LncRNAs as new targets for disease therapy in antagonizing HCC development was discussed.
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Andonegui-Elguera MA, Cáceres-Gutiérrez RE, Oliva-Rico D, Díaz-Chávez J, Herrera LA. LncRNAs-associated to genomic instability: A barrier to cancer therapy effectiveness. Front Genet 2022; 13:984329. [DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.984329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Although a large part of the genome is transcribed, only 1.9% has a protein-coding potential; most of the transcripts are non-coding RNAs such as snRNAs, tRNAs, and rRNAs that participate in mRNA processing and translation. In addition, there are small RNAs with a regulatory role, such as siRNAs, miRNAs, and piRNAs. Finally, the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts of more than 200 bp that can positively and negatively regulate gene expression (both in cis and trans), serve as a scaffold for protein recruitment, and control nuclear architecture, among other functions. An essential process regulated by lncRNAs is genome stability. LncRNAs regulate genes associated with DNA repair and chromosome segregation; they are also directly involved in the maintenance of telomeres and have recently been associated with the activity of the centromeres. In cancer, many alterations in lncRNAs have been found to promote genomic instability, which is a hallmark of cancer and is associated with resistance to chemotherapy. In this review, we analyze the most recent findings of lncRNA alterations in cancer, their relevance in genomic instability, and their impact on the resistance of tumor cells to anticancer therapy.
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The Clinical Value of Long Noncoding RNA DDX11-AS1 as a Biomarker for the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:5735462. [PMID: 36072974 PMCID: PMC9444391 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5735462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a high-mortality malignant tumor with genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity, making predicting clinical outcomes challenging. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the potential usefulness of lncRNA DDX11 antisense RNA 1 (DDX11-AS1) as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The TCGA-LIHC datasets were searched for patients’ clinical information and RNA-seq data, which were then collected. Relative expression levels of DDX11-AS1 in HCC tissues were determined by qRT-PCR. In order to test the sensitivity and specificity of the DDX11-AS1 receiver, receiver operating characteristic curves were utilized. The association of DDX11-AS1 expression with clinicopathological factors or prognosis was statistically analyzed. We found that the levels of DDX11-AS1 were higher in HCC specimens than in normal specimens. ROC analysis showed that DDX11-AS1 was a useful marker for discriminating HCC tissues from normal nontumor specimens. According to the results of clinical tests, a high level of DDX11-AS1 expressions was significantly related to the pathologic stage (
) and the histologic grade (
). Survival studies indicated that patients with higher DDX11-AS1 expression had a significantly poorer overall survival (
) and progression-free interval (
) than those with lower DDX11-AS1 expression. Multivariate survival analysis verified that DDX11-AS1 expression level was an independent predictor for HCC patients. Overall, DDX11-AS1 may serve as a tumor promotor during HCC progression, and its high level may be a potential marker for HCC patients.
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Han Z, Mou Z, Jing Y, Jiang R, Sun T. EMX1 functions as a tumor inhibitor in spinal cord glioma through transcriptional suppression of WASF2 and inactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin axis. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2684. [PMID: 35849030 PMCID: PMC9392518 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gliomas are the most frequent and aggressive cancers in the central nervous system, and spinal cord glioma (SCG) is a rare class of the gliomas. Empty spiracles homobox genes (EMXs) have shown potential tumor suppressing roles in glioma, but the biological function of EMX1 in SCG is unclear. METHODS The EMX1 expression in clinical tissues of patients with SCG was examined. SCG cells were extracted from the tissues, and altered expression of EMX1 was then introduced to examine the role of EMX1 in cell growth and invasiveness in vitro. Xenograft tumors were induced in nude mice for in vivo validation. The targets of EXM1 were predicted via bioinformatic analysis and validated by luciferase and ChIP-qPCR assays. Rescue experiments were conducted to validate the involvements of the downstream molecules. RESULTS EMX1 was poorly expressed in glioma, which was linked to decreased survival rate of patients according to the bioinformatics prediction. In clinical tissues, EMX1 was poorly expressed in SCG, especially in the high-grade tissues. EMX1 upregulation significantly suppressed growth and metastasis of SCG cells in vitro and in vivo. EMX1 bound to the promoter of WASP family member 2 (WASF2) to suppress its transcription. Restoration of WASF2 blocked the tumor-suppressing effect of EMX1. EMX1 suppressed Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity by inhibiting WASF2. Coronaridine, a Wnt/β-catenin-specific antagonist, blocked SCG cell growth and metastasis induced by WASF2. CONCLUSION This study elucidates that EMX1 functions as a tumor inhibitor in SCG by suppressing WASF2-dependent activation of the Wnt/β-catenin axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyin Han
- Department of Traumatic Orthopedics, Yantaishan Hospital of Yantai, Yantai, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Zufang Mou
- Administration Department of Nosocomial Infection, Yantaishan Hospital of Yantai, Yantai, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Yulong Jing
- Department of Traumatic Orthopedics, Yantaishan Hospital of Yantai, Yantai, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Rong Jiang
- Department of Physiology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai Campus, Yantai, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Tao Sun
- Department of Traumatic Orthopedics, Yantaishan Hospital of Yantai, Yantai, Shandong, P.R. China
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