Upregulation of miR-18a-5p promotes the proliferation of prostate cancer via inhibiting the expression of SLC40A1

SLC40A1 in iron metabolism, ferroptosis, and disease: A review

Solute carrier family 40 member 1 (SLC40A1) plays an essential role in transporting iron from intracellular to extracellular environments. When SLC40A1 expression is abnormal, cellular iron metabolism becomes dysregulated, resulting in an overload of intracellular iron, which induces cell ferroptosis. Numerous studies have confirmed that ferroptosis is closely associated with the development of many diseases. Here, we review recent findings on SLC40A1 in ferroptosis and its association with various diseases, intending to explore new directions for research on disease pathogenesis and new therapeutic targets for prevention and treatment. This article is categorized under: Cancer > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics Metabolic Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology.

CAFs-derived exosomes promote the development of cervical cancer by regulating miR-18a-5p-TMEM170B signaling axis

Mounting studies have showed that tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial for cervical cancer (CC), and cancer-related fibroblasts (CAFs) play a major role in it. Recently, exosomal miRNAs secreted by CAFs have been found to be potential targets for cancer diagnosis and therapy. In this paper, we aimed to investigate the function of CAFs-mediated exosome miR-18a-5p (CAFs-exo-miR-18a-5p) in CC. First, in combination with bioinformatic data analysis of the GEO database (GSE86100) and RT-qPCR of CC clinical tissue samples and cell lines, miR-18a-5p was discovered to be markedly up-regulated in CC. Next, CAFs-secreted exosomes were isolated and it was found that miR-18a-5p expression was dramatically promoted in CC cell lines when treated with CAFs-exos. The CAFs-exo-miR-18a-5p was then elucidated to stimulate the proliferation and migration and inhibit the apoptosis of CC cells. In order to clarify the underlying mechanism, we further screened the target genes of miR-18a-5p. TMEM170B was selected by bioinformatic data analysis of online databases combined with RT-qPCR of CC clinical tissues and cells. Luciferase reporter gene analysis combined with molecular biology experiments further elucidated that miR-18a-5p suppressed TMEM170B expression in CC. Finally, both cell and animal experiments demonstrated that TMEM170B over-expression attenuated the oncogenic effect of CAFs-exo-miR-18a-5p. In conclusion, our study indicates that CAFs-mediated exosome miR-18a-5p promotes the initiation and development of CC by suppressing TMEM170B signaling axis, which provides a possible direction for the diagnosis and therapy of CC.

Emerging role of miRNA in prostate cancer: A future era of diagnostic and therapeutics

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer in men (20%) and is responsible for 6.8% (1/5) of all cancer-related deaths in men around the world. The development and spread of prostate cancer are driven by a wide variety of genomic changes and extensive epigenetic events. Because of this, the MicroRNA (miRNA) and associated molecular mechanisms involved in PCa genesis and aggressive were only partially identified until today. The miRNAs are a newly discovered category of regulatorsthat have recently been recognized to have a significant role in regulating numerous elements of cancer mechanisms, such as proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, and apoptosis. The miRNAs are a type of small (22-24 nucleotides), non-coding, endogenous, single-stranded RNA and work as potent gene regulators. Various types of cancer, including PCa, have found evidence that miRNA genes, which are often located in cancer-related genetic regions or fragile locations, have a role in the primary steps of tumorigenesis, either as oncogenes or tumorsuppressors. To explain the link between miRNAs and their function in the initiation and advancement of PCa, we conducted a preliminary assessment. The purpose of this research was to enhance our understanding of the connection between miRNA expression profiles and PCa by elucidating the fundamental processes of miRNA expression and the target genes.

Role of exosome-mediated molecules SNORD91A and SLC40A1 in M2 macrophage polarization and prognosis of ESCC

BACKGROUND

Exosome-mediated interaction serves as a significant regulatory factor for M2 macrophage polarization in cancer.

METHODS

All accessible data were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and analyzed using R software. Molecules implicated in exocrine secretion were amassed from the ExoCarta database. Our research initially quantified the immune microenvironment in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) patients based on the expression profile sourced from the TCGA database. Additionally, we delved into the biological role of M2 macrophages in ESCC via Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA).

RESULTS

We observed that patients with high M2 macrophage infiltration typically have a poorer prognosis. Subsequently, a total of 1457 molecules were identified, with 103 of these molecules believed to function through exocrine mechanisms, as supported by data from the ExoCarta database. SNORD91A and SLC40A1 were ultimately pinpointed due to their correlation with patient prognosis. Moreover, we investigated their potential roles in ESCC, including biological enrichment, immune infiltration, and genomic instability analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identified exosome-associated molecules, namely SNORD91A and SLC40A1, which notably impact ESCC prognosis and local M2 macrophage recruitment, thereby presenting potential therapeutic targets for ESCC.

PRPF19 promotes the proliferation, migration, and inhibits autophagy in prostate cancer by suppressing SLC40A1

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death in men. To investigate the role of pre-mRNA processing factor 19 (PRPF19) in proliferation, migration of PCa, and evaluate the potential ability of PRPF19 as a therapeutic target. PRPF19 expression was analyzed from The Cancer Genome Atlas and GEPIA databank. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to evaluate the transcription of PRPF9 and solute carrier family 40 member 1 (SLC40A1). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to test PRPF9 expression in PCa tissues. The cell viability and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation analysis were performed to assess cell proliferation. Transwell assay was performed to investigate the migration and invasion of cancer cells. Western blot was used to measure the expression level of PRPF9, E-cadherin, Vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), SLC40A1, LC3, Beclin-1 and ATG7. Immunofluorescence assay was performed to measure LC3 expression in PCa cells. The bioinformatic analysis revealed PRPF19 was highly expressed in PCa which was certified by qRT-PCR, western blot and IHC detection in PCa tissues. The proliferation of PCa cells could be promoted by PRPF19 overexpression and suppressed by PRPF19 knockdown. Moreover, the migration and invasion of PCa cells could be positively regulated by PRPF19 which promoted the expression of E-cadherin, Vimentin, and α-SMA. Furthermore, the expression of LC3, Beclin-1, and ATG7 was negatively regulated by PRPF19, indicating that PRPF19 inhibited autophagy in PCa cells. In the double knockdown of PRPF19 and SLC40A1, PRPF19 repressed the mRNA and reduced protein level of SLC40A1, and SLC40A1 antagonized effects of PRPF19 on proliferation, migration and autophagy of PCa cells. PRPF19 promoted proliferation and migration, and inhibited autophagy in PCa by attenuating SLC40A1 expression, indicating PRPF19 was a potential therapeutic target for PCa treatment.

Comparison of Oncogenes, Tumor Suppressors, and MicroRNAs Between Schizophrenia and Glioma: The Balance of Power

The risk of cancer in schizophrenia has been controversial. Confounders of the issue are cigarette smoking in schizophrenia, and antiproliferative effects of antipsychotic medications. The author has previously suggested comparison of a specific cancer like glioma to schizophrenia might help determine a more accurate relationship between cancer and schizophrenia. To accomplish this goal, the author performed three comparisons of data; the first a comparison of conventional tumor suppressors and oncogenes between schizophrenia and cancer including glioma. This comparison determined schizophrenia has both tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting characteristics. A second, larger comparison between brain-expressed microRNAs in schizophrenia with their expression in glioma was then performed. This identified a core carcinogenic group of miRNAs in schizophrenia offset by a larger group of tumor-suppressive miRNAs. This proposed "balance of power" between oncogenes and tumor suppressors could cause neuroinflammation. This was assessed by a third comparison between schizophrenia, glioma and inflammation in asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma (ALRCM). This revealed that schizophrenia shares more oncogenic similarity to ALRCM than glioma.

MicroRNAs as clinical tools for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among men worldwide. Despite the presence of accumulated clinical strategies for PCa management, limited prognostic/sensitive biomarkers are available to follow up on disease occurrence and progression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that control gene expression through post-transcriptional regulation of their complementary target messenger RNA (mRNA). MiRNAs modulate fundamental biological processes and play crucial roles in the pathology of various diseases, including PCa. Multiple evidence proved an aberrant miRNA expression profile in PCa, which is actively involved in the carcinogenic process. The robust and pleiotropic impact of miRNAs on PCa suggests them as potential candidates to help more understand the molecular landscape of the disease, which is likely to provide tools for early diagnosis and prognosis as well as additional therapeutic strategies to manage prostate tumors. Here, we emphasize the most consistently reported dysregulated miRNAs and highlight the contribution of their altered downstream targets with PCa hallmarks. Also, we report the potential effectiveness of using miRNAs as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers in PCa and the high-throughput profiling technologies that are being used in their detection. Another key aspect to be discussed in this review is the promising implication of miRNAs molecules as therapeutic tools and targets for fighting PCa.

Leonurine suppresses prostate cancer growth in vitro and in vivo by regulating miR-18a-5p/SLC40A1 axis

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer-associated death in males. Leonurine (Leo) is a pleiotropic anti-tumor agent isolated from traditional Chinese herb that was used in gynecologic treatments. However, its pharmacological effect against prostate cancer progression remains unclear. Here, we showed that Leo dose dependently inhibited prostate cancer cell proliferation, promoted cell apoptosis, and induced cell cycle arrest. Moreover, we noticed that miR-18a-5p was downregulated and the solute carrier family 40 member 1 (SLC40A1) is upregulated by Leo treatment. SLC40A1 knockdown by siRNA abrogated the inhibitory effect of Leo on prostate cancer progression. Notably, Leo also significantly inhibited prostate cancer progression in a subcutaneous xenograft tumor mouse model in vivo. This study further unveiled the mechanism by which Leo inhibited prostate cancer progression, which provides a promising potential for its future clinical application.

Regulation of Neuroendocrine-like Differentiation in Prostate Cancer by Non-Coding RNAs

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) represents a variant of prostate cancer that occurs in response to treatment resistance or, to a much lesser extent, de novo. Unravelling the molecular mechanisms behind transdifferentiation of cancer cells to neuroendocrine-like cancer cells is essential for development of new treatment opportunities. This review focuses on summarizing the role of small molecules, predominantly microRNAs, in this phenomenon. A published literature search was performed to identify microRNAs, which are reported and experimentally validated to modulate neuroendocrine markers and/or regulators and to affect the complex neuroendocrine phenotype. Next, available patients’ expression datasets were surveyed to identify deregulated microRNAs, and their effect on NEPC and prostate cancer progression is summarized. Finally, possibilities of miRNA detection and quantification in body fluids of prostate cancer patients and their possible use as liquid biopsy in prostate cancer monitoring are discussed. All the addressed clinical and experimental contexts point to an association of NEPC with upregulation of miR-375 and downregulation of miR-34a and miR-19b-3p. Together, this review provides an overview of different roles of non-coding RNAs in the emergence of neuroendocrine prostate cancer.

lncRNA GAS5, as a ceRNA, inhibits the proliferation of diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma cells by regulating the miR‑18a‑5p/RUNX1 axis

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a common and fatal malignant tumor caused by B-lymphocytes. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) GAS5 (growth arrest specific 5) has been reported to function as a tumor suppressor gene, and is differentially expressed in DLBCL. The present study aimed to explore the potential mechanisms of action of lncRNA GAS5 in the proliferation of DLBCL cells. The expression levels of GAS5, miR-18a-5p and Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) in DLBCL cell lines were detected using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and their effects on cell proliferation, the cell cycle and apoptosis were determined using 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine assay and flow cytometry. Dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays were used to evaluate the interaction between GAS5 and miR-18a-5p, or between miR-18a-5p and RUNX1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay was used to identify the interaction between RUNX1 and BAX. The expression levels of GAS5 and RUNX1 were downregulated; however, miR-18a-5p expression was upregulated in the DLBCL cell lines compared with the normal controls. GAS5 directly interacted with miR-18a-5p by acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) and reversed the low expression of RUNX1 induced by miR-18a-5p. Additionally, the knockdown of RUNX1 reversed the inhibitory effects of GAS5 on the proliferation and cell cycle G1 arrest, and its promoting effects on the apoptosis of OCI-Ly3 and TMD8 cells. Moreover, RUNX1 enhanced BAX expression by directly binding to the BAX promoter. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that GAS5 functions as a ceRNA, inhibiting DLBCL cell proliferation by sponging miR-18a-5p to upregulate RUNX1 expression. These findings may provide a potential therapeutic strategy for DLBCL.