Glycolysis-related lncRNA TMEM105 upregulates LDHA to facilitate breast cancer liver metastasis via sponging miR-1208

Circular RNA circ_0004630 promotes malignancy and glycolysis of nonsmall cell lung cancer by sponging microRNA-1208 and regulating leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 expression

Emerging evidence has discovered that circular RNAs play important regulators of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the role and potential molecular mechanism of hsa_circ_100549 (circ_0004630) involved in NSCLC is poorly defined. In this study, circ_0004630, microRNA-1208 (miR-1208), and leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) expression were detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cell proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis, and invasion were assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, colony formation, flow cytometry, and transwell assays. Protein levels of glucose transporter 1, Hexokinase 2, and LRRK2 were detected using western blot assay. Glucose consumption, lactate production, and adenosine triphosphate content were assessed using the corresponding kits. After predicting via bioinformatics software Circinteractome and Targetscan, the binding between miR-1208 and circ_0004630 or LRRK2 was verified by a dual-luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation, and RNA pull-down assay. The xenograft tumor model analyzed the biological role circ_000460 on tumor growth in vivo. It was found that circ_0004630 and LRRK2 were increased, and miR-1208 was low expression in NSCLC tissues and cells. Functionally, the downregulation of circ_0004630 inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion, glycolysis, and accelerated apoptosis in vitro. In mechanism, circ_0004630 might work as a sponge of miR-1208 to modulate LRRK2 expression. In addition, DUXAP8 deficiency cured neuroblastoma tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, circ_0004630 knockdown might suppress NSCLC cell proliferation, metastasis, and glycolysis partly by the miR-1208/LRRK2 axis. Our findings hinted at an important theoretical basis for further elucidating the pathogenesis of NSCLC and targeted therapy.

Integration of single-cell sequencing and drug sensitivity profiling reveals an 11-gene prognostic model for liver cancer

BACKGROUND

Liver cancer has a high global incidence, particularly in East Asia. Early detection difficulties lead to poor prognosis. Single-cell sequencing precisely identifies gene expression differences in specific cell types, making it valuable in tumor microenvironment research and immune drug development. However, the characteristics of tumor cells themselves are equally important for patient prognosis and treatment.

METHODS

We downloaded single-cell sequencing data from GSE189903, grouped cells by cluster markers, and classified epithelial cells into adjacent non-tumor, normal, and tumor cells. Differential gene and survival analyses identified significant differential genes. Using TCGA-LIHC data, we divided 370 patients into test and training sets. We constructed and validated a LASSO model based on these genes in both sets and two external datasets. Functional, immune infiltration, and mutation analyses were performed on high and low-risk groups. We also used RNA-seq and IC50 data of 15 liver cancer cell lines from GDSC, scoring them with our prognostic model to identify potential drugs for high-risk patients.

RESULTS

Dimensionality reduction and clustering of 34 single-cell samples identified five subgroups, with epithelial cells further classified. Differential gene analysis identified 124 significant genes. An 11-gene prognostic model was constructed, effectively stratifying patient prognosis (p < 0.05) and achieving an AUC above 0.6 for 5 year survival prediction in multiple cohorts. Functional analysis revealed that upregulated genes in high-risk groups were enriched in cell adhesion pathways, while downregulated genes were enriched in metabolic pathways. Mutation analysis showed more TP53 mutations in the high-risk group and more CTNNB1 mutations in the low-risk group. Immune infiltration analysis indicated higher immune scores and less CD8 + naive T cell infiltration in the high-risk group. Drug sensitivity analysis identified 14 drugs with lower IC50 in the high-risk group, including clinically approved Sorafenib and Axitinib for treating unresectable HCC.

CONCLUSION

We established an 11-gene prognostic model that effectively stratifies liver cancer patients based on differentially expressed genes between tumor and adjacent non-tumor cells clustered by scRNA-seq data. The two risk groups had significantly different molecular characteristics. We identified 14 drugs that might be effective for high-risk HCC patients. Our study provides novel insights into tumor cell characteristics, aiding in research on tumor development and treatment.

Exploring the clinical potential of circulating LncRNAs in breast cancer: insights into primary signaling pathways and therapeutic interventions

Breast cancer (BC) occupies the top spot among women on a global scale. The tumor has a significant degree of heterogeneity, displaying a notable prevalence of medication resistance, recurrence, and metastasis, rendering it one of the most lethal forms of malignant neoplasms. The timely identification, ongoing evaluation of therapeutic interventions, and accurate prediction of outcomes play crucial roles in determining the overall survival rates of women with BC. Nevertheless, the absence of precise biomarkers remains a significant determinant impacting the overall well-being and both the physical and emotional health of BC patients. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) exerts regulatory control over several genes and signaling pathways, hence assuming crucial roles in the development of neoplastic growth. Recently, research has indicated that the atypical expression of circulating lncRNAs in various biological bodily fluids has a noteworthy impact on the early detection, pathological categorization, staging, monitoring of therapy outcomes, and evaluation of prognosis in cases of BC. This article aims to assess the potential clinical utility of circulating lncRNAs in the context of BC focusing on specific primary signaling pathways; Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, TGF-β, and hedgehog (Hh), in addition to some therapeutic interventions.

Regulatory function of glycolysis-related lncRNAs in tumor progression: Mechanism, facts, and perspectives

Altered metabolism is a hallmark of cancer, and reprogramming of energy metabolism, known as the "Warburg effect", has long been associated with cancer. Cancer cells use the process of glycolysis to quickly manufacture energy from glucose, pyruvic acid, and lactate, which in turn accelerates the growth of cancer and glycolysis becomes a key target for anti-cancer therapies. Recent groundbreaking discoveries regarding long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have opened a new chapter in the mechanism of cancer occurrence. It is widely recognized that lncRNAs regulate energy metabolism through glycolysis in cancer cells. LncRNAs have been demonstrated to engage in several cancer processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and chemoresistance, whereas glycolysis is enhanced or inhibited by the dysregulation of lncRNAs. As a result, cancer survival and development are influenced by different signaling pathways. In this review, we summarize the roles of lncRNAs in a variety of cancers and describe the mechanisms underlying their role in glycolysis. Additionally, the predictive potential of glycolysis and lncRNAs in cancer therapy is discussed.

Voltage-dependent anion channel 1 mediates mitochondrial fission and glucose metabolic reprogramming in response to ionizing radiation

The ionizing radiation (IR) represents a formidable challenge as an environmental factor to mitochondria, leading to disrupt cellular energy metabolism and posing health risks. Although the deleterious impacts of IR on mitochondrial function are recognized, the specific molecular targets remain incompletely elucidated. In this study, HeLa cells subjected to γ-rays exhibited concomitant oxidative stress, mitochondrial structural alterations, and diminished ATP production capacity. The γ-rays induced a dose-dependent induction of mitochondrial fission, simultaneously manifested by an elevated S616/S637 phosphorylation ratio of the dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) and a reduction in the expression of the mitochondrial fusion protein mitofusin 2 (MFN2). Knockdown of DRP1 effectively mitigated γ-rays-induced mitochondrial network damage, implying that DRP1 phosphorylation may act as an effector of radiation-induced mitochondrial damage. The mitochondrial outer membrane protein voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) was identified as a crucial player in IR-induced mitochondrial damage. The VDAC1 inhibitor 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), counteracts the excessive mitochondrial fission induced by γ-rays, consequently rebalancing the glycolytic and oxidative phosphorylation equilibrium. This metabolic shift was uncovered to enhance glycolytic capacity, thus fortifying cellular resilience and elevating the radiosensitivity of cancer cells. These findings elucidate the intricate regulatory mechanisms governing mitochondrial morphology under radiation response. It is anticipated that the development of targeted drugs directed against VDAC1 may hold promise in augmenting the sensitivity of tumor cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Glycolysis-associated lncRNAs in cancer energy metabolism and immune microenvironment: a magic key

The dependence of tumor cells on glycolysis provides essential energy and raw materials for their survival and growth. Recent research findings have indicated that long chain non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have a key regulatory function in the tumor glycolytic pathway and offer new opportunities for cancer therapy. LncRNAs are analogous to a regulatory key during glycolysis. In this paper, we review the mechanisms of LncRNA in the tumor glycolytic pathway and their potential therapeutic strategies, including current alterations in cancer-related energy metabolism with lncRNA mediating the expression of key enzymes, lactate production and transport, and the mechanism of interaction with transcription factors, miRNAs, and other molecules. Studies targeting LncRNA-regulated tumor glycolytic pathways also offer the possibility of developing new therapeutic strategies. By regulating LncRNA expression, the metabolic pathways of tumor cells can be interfered with to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis, thus affecting the immune and drug resistance mechanisms of tumor cells. In addition, lncRNAs have the capacity to function as molecular markers and target therapies, thereby contributing novel strategies and approaches to the field of personalized cancer therapy and prognosis evaluation. In conclusion, LncRNA, as key molecules regulating the tumor glycolysis pathway, reveals a new mechanism of abnormal metabolism in cancer cells. Future research will more thoroughly investigate the specific mechanisms of LncRNA glycolysis regulation and develop corresponding therapeutic strategies, thereby fostering new optimism for the realization of precision medicine.

Emerging roles of long noncoding RNAs in enzymes related intracellular metabolic pathways in cancer biology

Metabolic reprogramming plays critical roles in the development and progression of tumor by providing cancer cells with a sufficient supply of nutrients and other factors needed for fast-proliferating. Emerging evidence indicates that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the initiation of metastasis via regulating the metabolic reprogramming in various cancers. In this paper, we aim to summarize that lncRNAs could participate in intracellular nutrient metabolism including glucose, amino acid, lipid, and nucleotide, regardless of whether lncRNAs have tumor-promoting or tumor-suppressor function. Meanwhile, modulation of lncRNAs in glucose metabolic enzymes in glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway and tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) in cancer is reviewed. We also discuss therapeutic strategies targeted at interfering with enzyme activity to decrease the utilization of glucoses, amino acid, nucleotide acid and lipid in tumor cells. This review focuses on our current understanding of lncRNAs participating in cancer cell metabolic reprogramming, paving the way for further investigation into the combination of such approaches with existing anti-cancer therapies.

Dichloroacetate for Cancer Treatment: Some Facts and Many Doubts

Rarely has a chemical elicited as much controversy as dichloroacetate (DCA). DCA was initially considered a dangerous toxic industrial waste product, then a potential treatment for lactic acidosis. However, the main controversies started in 2008 when DCA was found to have anti-cancer effects on experimental animals. These publications showed contradictory results in vivo and in vitro such that a thorough consideration of this compound's in cancer is merited. Despite 50 years of experimentation, DCA's future in therapeutics is uncertain. Without adequate clinical trials and health authorities' approval, DCA has been introduced in off-label cancer treatments in alternative medicine clinics in Canada, Germany, and other European countries. The lack of well-planned clinical trials and its use by people without medical training has discouraged consideration by the scientific community. There are few thorough clinical studies of DCA, and many publications are individual case reports. Case reports of DCA's benefits against cancer have been increasing recently. Furthermore, it has been shown that DCA synergizes with conventional treatments and other repurposable drugs. Beyond the classic DCA target, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, new target molecules have also been recently discovered. These findings have renewed interest in DCA. This paper explores whether existing evidence justifies further research on DCA for cancer treatment and it explores the role DCA may play in it.

The roles and molecular mechanisms of non-coding RNA in cancer metabolic reprogramming

One of the key features of cancer is energy metabolic reprogramming which is tightly related to cancer proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance. NcRNAs are a class of RNAs having no protein-coding potential and mainly include microRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs. Accumulated evidence has suggested that ncRNAs play an essential role in regulating cancer metabolic reprogramming, and the altered metabolic networks mediated by ncRNAs primarily drive carcinogenesis by regulating the expression of metabolic enzymes and transporter proteins. Importantly, accumulated research has revealed that dysregulated ncRNAs mediate metabolic reprogramming contributing to the generation of therapeutic tolerance. Elucidating the molecular mechanism of ncRNAs in cancer metabolic reprogramming can provide promising metabolism-related therapeutic targets for treatment as well as overcome therapeutic tolerance. In conclusion, this review updates the latest molecular mechanisms of ncRNAs related to cancer metabolic reprogramming.

Dissecting the role of lactate metabolism LncRNAs in the progression and immune microenvironment of osteosarcoma

BACKGROUND

The process of lactate metabolism has been proved to play a critical role in the progression of various cancers and to influence the immune microenvironment, but its potential role in osteosarcoma remains unclear.

METHODS

We have acquired transcriptomic and clinical data from 84 osteosarcoma samples and 70 normal bone samples from the TARGET and GTEx databases. We identified differentially expressed lactate metabolism-related LncRNAs (LRLs) in osteosarcoma and performed Cox regression and LASSO regression to establish LRLs prognostic signature (LRPS). The reliability of LRPS performance was examined by separate prognostic analysis, viability curves and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Furthermore, the effects of LRPS on the immune microenvironment of osteosarcoma were investigated, and the functions of the focal genes were experimentally validated.

RESULT

A total of 856 differentially expressed LRLs were identified and 5 of them were selected to construct LRPS, which was a better prognostic predictor for osteosarcoma compared with other published prognostic signatures (AUC up to 0.947 and 0.839 in the training and test groups, respectively, with adj-p<0.05 for KM curves). We found that LRPS significantly affected the immune infiltration of osteosarcoma, while RP11-472M19.2 significantly promoted the metastasis of osteosarcoma, which was well validated experimentally. Encouragingly, a number of sensitive drugs were identified for LRPS and RP11-472M19.2 high-risk groups.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that lactate metabolism plays a crucial role in the development of osteosarcoma and has been well validated experimentally, providing extremely important insights into the clinical treatment and in-depth research of osteosarcoma.

Lactate metabolic pathway regulates tumor cell metastasis and its use as a new therapeutic target

Abnormal energy metabolism is one of the ten hallmarks of tumors, and tumor cell metabolism provides energy and a suitable microenvironment for tumorigenesis and metastasis. Tumor cells can consume large amounts of glucose and produce large amounts of lactate through glycolysis even in the presence of oxygen, a process called aerobic glycolysis, also known as the Warburg effect. Lactate is the end product of the aerobic glycolysis. Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), which is highly expressed in cancer cells, promotes lactate production and transports lactate to the tumor microenvironment and is taken up by surrounding stromal cells under the action of monocarboxylate transporter 1/4 (MCT1/4), which in turn influences the immune response and enhances the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. Therapeutic strategies targeting lactate metabolism have been intensively investigated, focusing on its metastasis-promoting properties and various target inhibitors; AZD3965, an MCT1 inhibitor, has entered phase I clinical trials, and the LDHA inhibitor N-hydroxyindole (NHI) has shown cancer therapeutic activity in pre-clinical studies. Interventions targeting lactate metabolism are emerging as a promising option for cancer therapy, with chemotherapy or radiotherapy combined with lactate-metabolism-targeted drugs adding to the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Based on current research, this article outlines the role of lactate metabolism in tumor metastasis and the potential value of inhibitors targeting lactate metabolism in cancer therapy.

Bergenin Inhibits Tumor Growth and Overcomes Radioresistance by Targeting Aerobic Glycolysis

Hexokinase 2 (HK2), the first glycolytic rate-limiting enzyme, is closely correlated with the occurrence and progression of tumors. Effective therapeutic agents targeting HK2 are urgently needed. Bergenin has exhibited various pharmacological activities, such as antitumor properties. However, the effects of bergenin on the abnormal glucose metabolism of cancer cells are yet unclear. In this study, HK2 was overexpressed in OSCC tissues, and the depletion of HK2 inhibited the growth of OSCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, these results showed that the natural compound, bergenin, exerted a robust antitumor effect on OSCC cells. Bergenin inhibited cancer cell proliferation, suppressed glycolysis, and induced intrinsic apoptosis in OSCC cells by downregulating HK2. Notably, bergenin restored the antitumor efficacy of irradiation in the radioresistant OSCC cells. A mechanistic study revealed that bergenin upregulated the protein level of phosphatase and the tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) by enhancing the interaction between PTEN and ubiquitin-specific protease 13 (USP13) and stabilizing PTEN; this eventually inhibited AKT phosphorylation and HK2 expression. Bergenin was identified as a novel therapeutic agent against glycolysis to inhibit OSCC and overcome radioresistance. Targeting PTEN/AKT/HK2 signaling could be a promising option for clinical OSCC treatment.

Non-coding RNAs in renal cell carcinoma: Implications for drug resistance

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents a malignant tumor of the urinary system. Individuals with early-stage RCC could be cured by surgical treatment, but a considerable number of cases of advanced RCC progress to drug resistance. Recently, numerous reports have demonstrated that a variety of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) contribute to tumor occurrence and development. ncRNAs can act as oncogenic or tumor suppressor genes to regulate proliferation, migration, drug resistance and other processes in RCC cells through a variety of signaling pathways. Considering the lack of treatment options for advanced RCC after drug resistance, ncRNAs may be a good choice as biomarkers of drug resistance in RCC and targets to overcome drug resistance. In this review, we discussed the effects of ncRNAs on drug resistance in RCC and the great potential of ncRNAs as a biomarker of or a new therapeutic method in RCC.

Mechanisms of Long Non-Coding RNA in Breast Cancer

The landscape of pervasive transcription in eukaryotic genomes has made space for the identification of thousands of transcripts that are difficult to frame in a specific functional category. A new class has been broadly named as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and shortly defined as transcripts that are longer than 200 nucleotides with no or limited coding potential. So far, about 19,000 lncRNAs genes have been annotated in the human genome (Gencode 41), nearly matching the number of protein-coding genes. A key scientific priority is the functional characterization of lncRNAs, a major challenge in molecular biology that has encouraged many high-throughput efforts. LncRNA studies have been stimulated by the enormous clinical potential that these molecules promise and have been based on the characterization of their expression and functional mechanisms. In this review, we illustrate some of these mechanisms as they have been pictured in the context of breast cancer.