Silencing of long chain noncoding RNA paternally expressed gene (PEG10) inhibits the progression of neuroblastoma by regulating microRNA-449a (miR-449a)/ribosomal protein S2 (RPS2) axis

miR-449a: A Promising Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Cancer and Other Diseases

In the regulation of gene expression, epigenetic factors like non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play an equal role in genetics. The role of microRNAs (miRNAs), which are members of the ncRNA family, in post-transcriptional gene regulation is well-documented and has important implications for both normal and abnormal biological processes, such as angiogenesis, proliferation, survival, and apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to synthesize previous research on miR-449a by analyzing published results from various databases, as there have been a number of investigations on miR-449's potential involvement in the development of human disorders. Based on our findings, miR-449 is strongly dysregulated in a wide range of diseases, from various cancers to cardiovascular diseases, cognitive impairments, and respiratory diseases, and it may play a pivotal role in the development of these problems. In addition, miR-449a functions as a crucial regulator of the expression of several well-known genes, including E2F-3, BCL2, NOTCH1, and SOX4. This, in turn, modulates various pathways and processes related to cancer, including Notch, PI3K, and TGF-β, and contributes to the improvement of cancer drug sensitivity. Curiously, abnormalities in the expression of this miRNA may serve as diagnostic or prognostic indicators for distinguishing between healthy people and patients or to evaluate the survival rates for specific disorders. This article provides a synopsis of the current understanding of miR-449a's role in human disease development through its regulation of gene expression and the biological processes related to these genes and their linked processes. In addition, we have covered the topic of miR-449a's potential as a clinical feature (diagnosis and prognosis) indicator for a range of disorders, both neoplastic and non-neoplastic. In general, our goal was to gain a thorough comprehension of the numerous functions of miR-449a in different disorders.

Protective Effect of Long Noncoding RNA OXCT1-AS1 on Doxorubicin-Induced Apoptosis of Human Myocardial Cells by the Competitive Endogenous RNA Pattern

BACKGROUND

The anthracycline chemotherapeutic antibiotic doxorubicin (DOX) can induce cumulative cardiotoxicity and lead to cardiac dysfunction. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can function as important regulators in DOX-induced myocardial injury.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the functional role and molecular mechanism of lncRNA OXCT1 antisense RNA 1 (OXCT1-AS1) in DOX-induced myocardial cell injury in vitro.

METHODS

Human cardiomyocytes (AC16) were stimulated with DOX to induce a myocardial cell injury model. OXCT1-AS1, miR-874-3p, and BDH1 expression in AC16 cells were determined by RT-qPCR. AC16 cell viability was measured by XTT assay. Flow cytometry was employed to assess the apoptosis of AC16 cells. Western blotting was used to evaluate protein levels of apoptosis-related markers. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was conducted to verify the binding ability between miR-874-3p and OXCT1-AS1 and between miR-874-3p and BDH1. The value of p<0.05 indicated statistical significance.

RESULTS

OXCT1-AS1 expression was decreased in DOX-treated AC16 cells. Overexpression of OXCT1-AS1 reversed the reduction of cell viability and promotion of cell apoptosis caused by DOX. OXCT1-AS1 is competitively bound to miR-874-3p to upregulate BDH1. BDH1 overexpression restored AC16 cell viability and suppressed cell apoptosis under DOX stimulation. Knocking down BDH1 reversed OXCT1-AS1-mediated attenuation of AC16 cell apoptosis under DOX treatment.

CONCLUSION

LncRNA OXCT1-AS1 protects human myocardial cells AC16 from DOX-induced apoptosis via the miR-874-3p/BDH1 axis.

DNA methylation-mediated epigenetic regulation of oncogenic RPS2 as a novel therapeutic target and biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma

Ribosomal Protein S2 (RPS2) has emerged as a potential prognostic biomarker due to its involvement in key cellular processes and its altered expression pattern in certain types of cancer. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has yet to be investigated. Herein, we analyzed RPS2 mRNA expression and promoter methylation in HCC patient samples and HepG2 cells. Subsequently, loss-of-function experiments were conducted to determine the function of RPS2 in HCC cells in vitro. Our results revealed that RPS2 mRNA expression is significantly elevated, and its promoter is hypomethylated in HCC patient samples compared to controls. In addition, 5-Azacytidine treatment in HepG2 cells decreased RPS2 promoter methylation level and increased its mRNA expression. RPS2 knockdown in HepG2 cells suppressed cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. Functional pathway analysis of genes positively and negatively associated with RPS2 expression in HCC showed enrichment in ribosomal biogenesis, translation machinery, cell cycle regulation, and DNA processing. Furthermore, utilizing drug-protein 3D docking, we found that doxorubicin, sorafenib, and 5-Fluorouracil, showed high affinity to the active sites of RPS2, and in vitro treatment with these drugs reduced RPS2 expression. For the first time, we report on DNA methylation-mediated epigenetic regulation of RPS2 and its oncogenic role in HCC. Our findings suggest that RPS2 plays a significant role in the development and progression of HCC, hence its potential prognostic and therapeutic utility. Moreover, as epigenetic changes happen early in cancer development, RPS2 may serve as a potential biomarker for tumor progression.

Effect of lncRNA LINC00324 on cervical cancer progression through down-regulation of miR-195-5p

BACKGROUND

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been widely used in the exploration of diseases in recent years. This paper introduced the significance of lncRNA LINC00324 (LINC00324) on the progression of cervical cancer and explored the mechanism of action and potential prognosis of LINC00324.

METHODS

The cervical cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues of 120 people were collected as research samples. The expression level of LINC00324 was assessed by RT-qPCR, as was miR-195-5p. Knockdown of LINC00324 on the proliferation ability of cervical cancer cells was determined with the help of cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), and the number of cell migration and invasion was detected by the Transwell method. Luciferase reporter gene assay was used to analyse the correlation of LINC00324 and miR-195-5p. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and multivariate Cox analysis explained the potential prognostic significance of LINC00324 in cervical cancer.

RESULTS

Significantly increased expression of LINC00324 and down-regulated miR-195-5p were negatively correlated in cervical cancer. Knockdown of LINC00324 inhibited the progression of cervical cancer, which was related to its mechanism of targeting and downregulating miR-195-5p. In addition, low expression of LINC00324 may prolong the survival period of patients with cervical cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

LINC00324 targets miR-195-5p to regulate the progression of cervical cancer and have potential as a prognostic molecular marker for cervical cancer.

MicroRNAs as prospective biomarkers, therapeutic targets and pharmaceuticals in neuroblastoma

Neuroblastomas, the most prevalent malignant solid neoplasms of childhood, originate from progenitor cells of the sympathetic nervous system. Their genetic causation is diverse and involves multiple molecular mechanisms. This review highlights multiple roles of microRNA in neuroblastoma pathogenesis and discusses the prospects of harnessing these important natural regulator molecules as biomarkers, therapeutic targets and pharmaceuticals in neuroblastoma.