Oncogenic Forkhead box D3 antisense RNA 1 promotes cell survival and confers temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma cells through the miR-128-3p/WEE1 G2 checkpoint kinase axis

The pathogenesis mechanism and potential clinical value of lncRNA in gliomas

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.

MicroRNAs as the pivotal regulators of Temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive nervous system tumor with a poor prognosis. Although, surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are the current standard protocol for GBM patients, there is still a poor prognosis in these patients. Temozolomide (TMZ) as a first-line therapeutic agent in GBM can easily cross from the blood-brain barrier to inhibit tumor cell proliferation. However, there is a high rate of TMZ resistance in GBM patients. Since, there are limited therapeutic choices for GBM patients who develop TMZ resistance; it is required to clarify the molecular mechanisms of chemo resistance to introduce the novel therapeutic targets. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate chemo resistance through regulation of drug metabolism, absorption, DNA repair, apoptosis, and cell cycle. In the present review we discussed the role of miRNAs in TMZ response of GBM cells. It has been reported that miRNAs mainly induced TMZ sensitivity by regulation of signaling pathways and autophagy in GBM cells. Therefore, miRNAs can be used as the reliable diagnostic/prognostic markers in GBM patients. They can also be used as the therapeutic targets to improve the TMZ response in GBM cells.

MicroRNA-128 acts as a suppressor in the progression of gastrointestinal stromal tumor by targeting B-lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1

INTRODUCTION

The critical role of microRNA-128 (miR-128) in gastrointestinal-related diseases has been documented. In the current study, we tried to clarify the specific role miR-128 in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Differentially expressed genes in GIST were identified following bioinformatics analysis. Then, expression patterns of miR-128 and B-lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 (BMI-1) in clinical tissue samples and cell lines were characterized, followed by validation of their correlation. GIST-T1 cells were selected and transfected with different mimic, inhibitor, or siRNA plasmids, after which the biological functions were assayed.

RESULTS

We identified low miR-128 and high BMI-1 expression in GIST tissues of 78 patients and 4 GIST cell lines. Ectopic expression of miR-128 or silencing of BMI-1 suppressed the malignant potentials of GIST-T1 cells. As a target of miR-128, BMI-1 re-expression could partly counteract the suppressive effect of miR-128 on the malignancy of GIST-T1 cells.

CONCLUSION

Our study provided evidence that miR-128-mediated silencing of BMI-1 could prevent malignant progression of GIST, highlighting a promising anti-tumor target for combating GIST.

Interplay of Sphingolipid Metabolism in Predicting Prognosis of GBM Patients: Towards Precision Immunotherapy

Background: In spite of numerous existing bio-surveillance systems for predicting glioma (GBM) prognosis, enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy remains an ongoing conundrum. The continual scrutiny of the dynamic interplay between the sphingolipid metabolic pathway and tumor immunophenotypes has unveiled potential implications. However, the intricate orchestration of functional and regulatory mechanisms by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in GBM, particularly in the context of sphingolipid metabolism, remains cryptic. Methods: We harnessed established R packages to intersect gene expression profiles of GBM patients within the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database with the compilation of sphingolipid metabolism genes from GeneCards. This enabled us to discern markedly distinct lncRNAs, which were subsequently deployed to construct a robust prognostic model utilizing Lasso-Cox regression analysis. We then scrutinized the immune microenvironment across various risk strata using the ssGSEA and CIBERSORT algorithms. To evaluate mutation patterns and drug resistance profiles within patient subgroups, we devised the "Prophytic" and "Maftools" packages, respectively. Results: Our investigation scrutinized lncRNAs linked to sphingolipid metabolism, utilizing glioma specimens from TCGA. We meticulously curated 1224 sphingolipid-associated genes gleaned from GeneCards and pinpointed 272 differentially expressed mRNAs via transcriptomic analysis. Enrichment analyses underscored their significance in sphingolipid processes. A prognostic model founded on 17 meticulously selected lncRNAs was systematically constructed and validated. This model adeptly stratified GBM patients into high- and low-risk categories, yielding highly precise prognostic insights. We also discerned correlations between immune cell infiltration and genetic mutation discrepancies, along with distinct therapeutic responses through drug sensitivity analysis. Notably, computational findings were corroborated through experimental validation by RT-PCR. Conclusion: In summation, our exhaustive inquiry underscores the multifaceted utility of the sphingolipid metabolic pathway as an autonomous diagnostic and prognostic indicator for glioma patients. Furthermore, we amalgamate a profusion of substantiated evidence concerning immune infiltration and gene mutations, thereby reinforcing the proposition that sphingolipid metabolism may function as a pivotal determinant in the panorama of immunotherapeutic interventions.

Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry Approaches Toward WEE1 Kinase Inhibitors and Its Degraders

WEE1 is a checkpoint kinase critical for mitotic events, especially in cell maturation and DNA repair. Most cancer cells' progression and survival are linked with elevated levels of WEE1 kinase. Thus, WEE1 kinase has become a new promising druggable target. A few classes of WEE1 inhibitors are designed by rationale or structure-based techniques and optimization approaches to identify selective acting anticancer agents. The discovery of the WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775 further emphasized WEE1 as a promising anticancer target. Therefore, the current review provides a comprehensive data on medicinal chemistry, synthetic approaches, optimization methods, and the interaction profile of WEE1 kinase inhibitors. In addition, WEE1 PROTAC degraders and their synthetic procedures, including a list of noncoding RNAs necessary for regulation of WEE1, are also highlighted. From the standpoint of medicinal chemistry, the contents of this compilation serve as an exemplar for the further design, synthesis, and optimization of promising WEE1-targeted anticancer agents.

Non-coding antisense transcripts: fine regulation of gene expression in cancer

Natural antisense transcripts (NATs) are coding or non-coding RNA sequences transcribed on the opposite direction from the same genomic locus. NATs are widely distributed throughout the human genome and seem to play crucial roles in physiological and pathological processes, through newly described and targeted mechanisms. NATs represent the intricate complexity of the genome organization and constitute another layer of potential targets in disease. Here, we focus on the interesting and unique role of non-coding NATs in cancer, paying particular attention to those acting as miRNA sponges.