TRPM8 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by inducing SNORA55 mediated nuclear-mitochondrial communication

SNORA37/CMTR1/ELAVL1 feedback loop drives gastric cancer progression via facilitating CD44 alternative splicing

BACKGROUND

Emerging evidence shows that small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA), a type of highly conserved non-coding RNA, is involved in tumorigenesis and aggressiveness. However, the roles of snoRNAs in regulating alternative splicing crucial for cancer progression remain elusive.

METHODS

High-throughput RNA sequencing and comprehensive analysis were performed to identify crucial snoRNAs and downstream alternative splicing events. Biotin-labeled RNA pull-down, mass spectrometry, cross-linking RNA immunoprecipitation, and in vitro binding assays were applied to explore interaction of snoRNAs with protein partners. Alternative splicing and gene expression was observed by real-time quantitative RT-PCR and western blot assays. In vitro and in vivo studies were performed to investigate biological effects of snoRNAs and their protein partners in gastric cancer. Survival analysis was undertaken by using Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test.

RESULTS

SNORA37 was identified as an up-regulated snoRNA essential for tumorigenesis and aggressiveness of gastric cancer. Gain- and loss-of-function studies indicated that SNORA37 promoted the growth, invasion, and metastasis of gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, as an ELAV like RNA binding protein 1 (ELAVL1)-generated snoRNA, SNORA37 directly bound to cap methyltransferase 1 (CMTR1) to facilitate its interaction with ELAVL1, resulting in nuclear retention and activity of ELAVL1 in regulating alternative splicing of CD44. Rescue studies revealed that SNORA37 exerted oncogenic roles in gastric cancer progression via facilitating CMTR1-ELAVL1 interaction. In clinical gastric cancer cases, high levels of SNORA37, CMTR1, ELAVL1, or CD44 were associated with shorter survival and poor outcomes of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated that SNORA37/CMTR1/ELAVL1 feedback loop drives gastric cancer progression via facilitating CD44 alternative splicing.

TRPM8 overexpression suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression and improves survival by modulating the RTP3/STAT3 pathway

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumour associated with high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Recently, TRPM8 was reported to play an important role in tumour progression. However, the precise role of TRPM8 in HCC remains unclear. In this study, we explored the expression levels, molecular functions and underlying mechanisms of TRPM8 in HCC.

METHODS

Tissue samples were used to analyse the expression of TRPM8 to assess its diagnostic value for prognosis. Cell Counting Kit-8, EdU and colony formation assays were performed to evaluate the effects of TRPM8 on cell proliferation, whereas the Transwell assay was used to assess cell migration and invasion. The role of TRPM8 in vivo was evaluated using a mouse subcutaneous xenograft tumour model. We performed PPI network analyses to understand the possible mechanisms of TRPM8 action.

RESULTS

TRPM8 expression was decreased in HCC tissues and was correlated with histological grade and poor patient prognosis. Functionally, TRPM8 repressed the proliferation and metastasis of HCC cells both in vitro and in vivo by modulating the RTP3/STAT3 signalling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Our findings underscore the critical role of the TRPM8-RTP3-STAT3 axis in maintaining the malignant progression of HCC. Moreover, our study demonstrates that AD80 is involved in anti-tumour processes by upregulating the expression of TRPM8.

The Role and Function of TRPM8 in the Digestive System

Transient receptor potential (TRP) melastatin member 8 (TRPM8) is a non-selective cation channel that can be activated by low temperatures (8-26 °C), cooling agents (including menthol analogs such as menthol, icilin, and WS-12), voltage, and extracellular osmotic pressure changes. TRPM8 expression has been identified in the digestive system by several research teams, demonstrating its significant involvement in tissue function and pathologies of the digestive system. Specifically, studies have implicated TRPM8 in various physiological and pathological processes of the esophagus, stomach, colorectal region, liver, and pancreas. This paper aims to comprehensively outline the distinct role of TRPM8 in different organs of the digestive system, offering insights for future mechanistic investigations of TRPM8. Additionally, it presents potential therapeutic targets for treating conditions such as digestive tract inflammation, tumors, sensory and functional disorders, and other related diseases. Furthermore, this paper addresses the limitations of existing studies and highlights the research prospects associated with TRPM8.

RNA biomarkers in cancer therapeutics: The promise of personalized oncology

Cancer therapy is a rapidly evolving and constantly expanding field. Current approaches include surgery, conventional chemotherapy and novel biologic agents as in immunotherapy, that together compose a wide armamentarium. The plethora of choices can, however, be clinically challenging in prescribing the most suitable treatment for any given patient. Fortunately, biomarkers can greatly facilitate the most appropriate selection. In recent years, RNA-based biomarkers have proven most promising. These molecules that range from small noncoding RNAs to protein coding gene transcripts can be valuable in cancer management and especially in cancer therapeutics. Compared to their DNA counterparts which are stable throughout treatment, RNA-biomarkers are dynamic. This allows prediction of success prior to treatment start and can identify alterations in expression that could reflect response. Moreover, improved nucleic acid technology allows RNA to be extracted from practically every biofluid/matrix and evaluated with exceedingly high analytic sensitivity. In addition, samples are largely obtained by minimally invasive procedures and as such can be used serially to assess treatment response real-time. This chapter provides the reader insight on currently known RNA biomarkers, the latest research employing Artificial Intelligence in the identification of such molecules and in clinical decisions driving forward the era of personalized oncology.

Subverting the Canon: Novel Cancer-Promoting Functions and Mechanisms for snoRNAs

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) constitute a class of intron-derived non-coding RNAs ranging from 60 to 300 nucleotides. Canonically localized in the nucleolus, snoRNAs play a pivotal role in RNA modifications and pre-ribosomal RNA processing. Based on the types of modifications they involve, such as methylation and pseudouridylation, they are classified into two main families-box C/D and H/ACA snoRNAs. Recent investigations have revealed the unconventional synthesis and biogenesis strategies of snoRNAs, indicating their more profound roles in pathogenesis than previously envisioned. This review consolidates recent discoveries surrounding snoRNAs and provides insights into their mechanistic roles in cancer. It explores the intricate interactions of snoRNAs within signaling pathways and speculates on potential therapeutic solutions emerging from snoRNA research. In addition, it presents recent findings on the long non-coding small nucleolar RNA host gene (lncSNHG), a subset of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are the transcripts of parental SNHGs that generate snoRNA. The nucleolus, the functional epicenter of snoRNAs, is also discussed. Through a deconstruction of the pathways driving snoRNA-induced oncogenesis, this review aims to serve as a roadmap to guide future research in the nuanced field of snoRNA-cancer interactions and inspire potential snoRNA-related cancer therapies.

A novel DNA methylation-related gene signature for the prediction of overall survival and immune characteristics of ovarian cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most life-threatening cancers affecting women worldwide. Recent studies have shown that the DNA methylation state can be used in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis prediction of diseases. Meanwhile, it has been reported that the DNA methylation state can affect the function of immune cells. However, whether DNA methylation-related genes can be used for prognosis and immune response prediction in OC remains unclear.

METHODS

In this study, DNA methylation-related genes in OC were identified by an integrated analysis of DNA methylation and transcriptome data. Prognostic values of the DNA methylation-related genes were investigated through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and Cox progression analyses. Immune characteristics were investigated by CIBERSORT, correlation analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA).

RESULTS

Twelve prognostic genes (CA2, CD3G, HABP2, KCTD14, PI3, SERPINB5, SLAMF7, SLC9A2, STC2, TBP, TREML2 and TRIM27) were identified and a risk score signature and a nomogram based on prognostic genes and clinicopathological features were constructed for the survival prediction of OC patients in the training and two validation cohorts. Subsequently, the differences in the immune landscape between the high- and low-risk score groups were systematically investigated.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our study explored a novel efficient risk score signature and a nomogram for the survival prediction of OC patients. In addition, the differences of the immune characteristics between the two risk groups were clarified preliminarily, which will guide the further exploration of synergistic targets to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy in OC patients.