LncRNA TPTEP1 inhibits the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells through miR-548d-3p/KLF9/PER1 axis

KLF9 aggravates the cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy through the lncRNA UCA1/p27 axis

Cardiac hypertrophy refers to an abnormal increase in the thickness of the heart muscle. Our study explores the role of Krüppel-like factor 9 (KLF9) in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, providing new targets for the treatment of HOCM. Cardiomyocytes were treated with isoproterenol (ISO). The levels of natriuretic peptide B (BNP)/natriuretic peptide A (ANP)/KLF9/long non-coding RNA urothelial carcinoma-associated 1 (lncRNA UCA1)/p27 were measured. Cell surface area and protein/DNA ratio were tested. The binding between KLF9 and the lncRNA UCA1 promoter and between zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) and lncRNA UCA1 was verified. The enrichment of histone H3 lysine 27 tri-methylation (H3K27me3) and EZH2 on the p27 promoter was analysed. ISO treatment increased KLF9 and lncRNA UCA1 expression and decreased p27 expression in cardiomyocytes. KLF9 knockdown inhibited ISO-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, reduced ANP and BNP expression, and alleviated cardiomyocyte damage. KLF9 activated lncRNA UCA1 expression. LncRNA UCA1 recruited EZH2 to the p27 promoter region, increasing the enrichment of H3K27me3, thereby epigenetically suppressing p27 expression. LncRNA UCA1 overexpression or p27 downregulation reduced the protective effect of KLF9 downregulation on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. In conclusion, KLF9 activates lncRNA UCA1 expression, and lncRNA UCA1 epigenetically suppresses p27 expression, thereby exacerbating cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in HOCM.

Shared and specific competing endogenous RNAs network mining in four digestive system tumors

Background

Digestive system malignancies, including esophageal carcinoma (ESCA), stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD), liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC), and colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), pose significant global health challenges. Identifying shared and distinct regulatory mechanisms across these cancers can lead to improved therapies. This study aims to construct and compare competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks across ESCA, STAD, LIHC, and COAD to identify RNA biomarkers that could serve as precision therapeutic targets to enhance clinical outcomes and advance personalized cancer care.

Methods

Clinical and transcriptomic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were analyzed to predict differentially expressed RNAs using the edgeR package. The ceRNA networks were constructed using the miRcode and ENCORI databases. Functional enrichment analysis and prognostic RNA screening were performed with ConsensusPathDB and univariate Cox regression analysis.

Results

we identified 6, 88, 55, and 41 RNA biomarkers in ESCA, STAD, LIHC, and COAD, respectively. Network analysis revealed shared and specific elements, with shared nodes enriched in cell cycle and mitotic processes. Several biomarkers, including HMGB3 and RGS16 (ESCA), COL4A1 and COL6A3 (STAD), CDCA5 and CDCA8 (LIHC), and LIMK1 and OSBPL3 (COAD), were consistent with prior studies, while novel biomarkers, such as C3P1 (ESCA), P2RY6 (STAD), and N4BP2L1 and PPP1R3B (LIHC), were discovered. Based on RNA correlation analysis, 1, 23, and 2 potential ceRNA regulatory axes were identified in STAD (PVT1/miR-490-3p/HMGA2), LIHC (DLX6-AS1/miR-139-5p/TOP2A, etc.), and COAD (STRCP1 & LINC00488/miR-142-3p/GAB1), respectively.

Conclusions

This study advances the understanding of ceRNA networks in digestive cancers, highlighting RNA biomarkers with potential as therapeutic targets for personalized treatment strategies.

Deciphering the nexus between long non-coding RNAs and endoplasmic reticulum stress in hepatocellular carcinoma: biomarker discovery and therapeutic horizons

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a significant global health challenge with few effective treatment options. The dysregulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress responses has emerged as a pivotal factor in HCC progression and therapy resistance. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role as key epigenetic modifiers in this process. Recent research has explored how lncRNAs influence ER stress which in turn affects lncRNAs activity in HCC. We systematically analyze the current literature to highlight the regulatory roles of lncRNAs in modulating ER stress and vice versa in HCC. Our scrutinization highlights how dysregulated lncRNAs contribute to various facets of HCC, including apoptosis resistance, enhanced proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, all driven by ER stress. Moreover, we delve into the emerging paradigm of the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA axis, elucidating it as the promising avenue for developing novel biomarkers and paving the way for more personalized treatment options in HCC. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the challenges and future directions in translating these insights into clinical practice. In conclusion, our review provides insights into the complex regulatory mechanisms governing ER stress modulation by lncRNAs in HCC.

Transcription factor KLF9 inhibits the proliferation, invasion, and migration of pancreatic cancer cells by repressing KIAA1522

AIM

Pancreatic cancer (PC) has a poor prognosis and high mortality. Kruppel-like factor 9 (KLF9), a transcription factor, is aberrantly expressed in various neoplasms. The current study sought to analyze the functional role of KLF9 in the proliferation, invasion, and migration of PC cells.

METHODS

The expression patterns of KLF9 and KIAA1522 in normal pancreatic cells (HPDE-C7) and PC cells (Panc 03.27, BxPc3, SW1990) were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assay. After treatment of KLF9 overexpression, proliferation, invasion, and migration were evaluated by cell counting kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine staining, and Transwell assays. The binding of KLF9 to the KIAA1522 promoter was analyzed by dual-luciferase assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation. The rescue experiment was conducted to analyze the role of KIAA1522.

RESULTS

KLF9 was downregulated, while KIAA1522 was upregulated in PC cells. KLF9 overexpression mitigated the proliferation, invasion, and migration of PC cells. Enrichment of KLF9 led to inhibition of the KIAA1522 promoter and repressed KIAA1522 expression. KIAA1522 overexpression neutralized the inhibitory role of KLF9 in PC cell functions.

CONCLUSION

KLF9 is enriched in the KIAA1522 promoter and negatively regulates KIAA1522 expression, thereby mitigating the proliferation, invasion, and migration of PC cells.

Downregulation of lncRNA EPB41L4A-AS1 promotes gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion

BACKGROUND

The incidence of gastric cancer ranks the first among digestive tract tumors in China. However, there are no specific symptoms in the early stage of the tumor and the diagnosis process is complex, so more effective detection methods are very needed. In this study, a novel long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) was introduced as a diagnostic biomarker for gastric cancer, which brought new thinking to the exploration of its pathological mechanism and clinical prediction.

METHODS

The level of lncRNA EPB41L4A-AS1 (EPB41L4A-AS1) in gastric cancer serum and cells was verified via real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed based on the EPB41L4A-AS1 level, and the diagnostic possibility of EPB41L4A-AS was analyzed. The chi-square test evaluated the correlation between EPB41L4A-AS expression and clinical information. The cells were cultured and transfected in vitro, and the mediations of abnormal EPB41L4A-AS level on the viability and motility of gastric cancer cells were verified through cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assay. Furthermore, luciferase activity assay was performed to confirm the sponge molecule microRNA-17-5p (miR-17-5p) of EPB41L4A-AS1.

RESULTS

EPB41L4A-AS1 was decreased in gastric cancer, and low EPB41L4A-AS1 level indicated resultful diagnostic value. Overexpression of EPB41L4A-AS1 inhibited the activity of gastric cancer cells, while knockdown of EPB41L4A-AS1 promoted tumor deterioration. EPB41L4A-AS1 directly targeted and regulated the expression ofmiR-17-5p.

CONCLUSION

This study elaborated that EPB41L4A-AS1 is lowly expressed in gastric cancer. Silencing EPB41L4A-AS1 was beneficial to cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. EPB41L4A-AS1 provides a new possibility for the diagnosis of gastric cancer patients by targeting miR-17-5p.

The kruppel-like factor (KLF) family, diseases, and physiological events

The Kruppel-Like Factor family of regulatory proteins, which has 18 members, is transcription factors. This family contains zinc finger proteins, regulates the activation and suppression of transcription, and binds to DNA, RNA, and proteins. Klfs related to the immune system are Klf1, Klf2, Klf3, Klf4, Klf6, and Klf14. Klfs related to adipose tissue development and/or glucose metabolism are Klf3, Klf7, Klf9, Klf10, Klf11, Klf14, Klf15, and Klf16. Klfs related to cancer are Klf3, Klf4, Klf5, Klf6, Klf7, Klf8, Klf9, Klf10, Klf11, Klf12, Klf13, Klf14, Klf16, and Klf17. Klfs related to the cardiovascular system are Klf4, Klf5, Klf10, Klf13, Klf14, and Klf15. Klfs related to the nervous system are Klf4, Klf7, Klf8, and Klf9. Klfs are associated with diseases such as carcinogenesis, oxidative stress, diabetes, liver fibrosis, thalassemia, and the metabolic syndrome. The aim of this review is to provide information about the relationship of Klfs with some diseases and physiological events and to guide future studies.

Zinc Finger Proteins in the War on Gastric Cancer: Molecular Mechanism and Clinical Potential

According to the 2020 global cancer data released by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) International, gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide, with yearly increasing incidence and the second-highest fatality rate in malignancies. Despite the contemporary ambiguous molecular mechanisms in GC pathogenesis, numerous in-depth studies have demonstrated that zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) are essential for the development and progression of GC. ZFPs are a class of transcription factors with finger-like domains that bind to Zn²⁺ extensively and participate in gene replication, cell differentiation and tumor development. In this review, we briefly outline the roles, molecular mechanisms and the latest advances in ZFPs in GC, including eight principal aspects, such as cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion and metastasis, inflammation and immune infiltration, apoptosis, cell cycle, DNA methylation, cancer stem cells (CSCs) and drug resistance. Intriguingly, the myeloid zinc finger 1 (MZF1) possesses reversely dual roles in GC by promoting tumor proliferation or impeding cancer progression via apoptosis. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanism of ZFPs on GC progression will pave the solid way for screening the potentially effective diagnostic indicators, prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets of GC.