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Lu Y, Yang Z, Zhang J, Ma X, Bi X, Xu L, Feng K, Wu Z, Ma X, Zhuang L. RNA-binding protein QKI promotes the progression of HCC by interacting with long non-coding RNA EGOT. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 136:112297. [PMID: 38810307 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA-binding proteins are revealed to play important roles during the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the regulatory mechanisms of RNA-binding protein Quaking (QKI) in the expression and role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in HCC cells remain not well understood. METHODS Cell Counting Kit-8, wound-healing, Transwell and colony-forming assays were performed to evaluate the effects of QKI and lncRNA EGOT on proliferation and migration of HCC cells. Tumor growth of HCC was analyzed using a mouse xenograft model. Immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay was used to investigate the interaction between QKI and EGOT. RESULTS The expression of QKI was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues and the higher QKI level was significantly associated with a poorer prognosis. Overexpression of QKI promoted the proliferation, migration, and colony-forming ability of HCC cells in vitro and tumor growth of HCC in vivo. Mechanistically, QKI protein could bind to EGOT RNA and increase its expression. Inhibition of EGOT attenuated the effects of QKI on the malignant phenotypes of HCC cells. In addition, both QKI and EGOT could activate the SAPK/JNK signaling pathway in HCC cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicated that QKI exerted promotive effects on the malignant phenotypes of HCC through its interaction with EGOT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Lu
- Central Laboratory, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Zhenpeng Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xuefeng Ma
- Central Laboratory, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xiaoye Bi
- Central Laboratory, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Longhai Xu
- Central Laboratory, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Keqing Feng
- Central Laboratory, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Zehua Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xiang Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Likun Zhuang
- Central Laboratory, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
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Cui Y, Wu Y, Zhu Y, Liu W, Huang L, Hong Z, Zhang M, Zheng X, Sun G. The possible molecular mechanism underlying the involvement of the variable shear factor QKI in the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation of oesophageal cancer. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288403. [PMID: 37428781 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Based on the GEO, TCGA and GTEx databases, we reveal the possible molecular mechanism of the variable shear factor QKI in epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of oesophageal cancer. METHODS Based on the TCGA and GTEx databases, the differential expression of the variable shear factor QKI in oesophageal cancer samples was analysed, and functional enrichment analysis of QKI was performed based on the TCGA-ESCA dataset. The percent-spliced in (PSI) data of oesophageal cancer samples were downloaded from the TCGASpliceSeq database, and the genes and variable splicing types that were significantly related to the expression of the variable splicing factor QKI were screened out. We further identified the significantly upregulated circRNAs and their corresponding coding genes in oesophageal cancer, screened the EMT-related genes that were significantly positively correlated with QKI expression, predicted the circRNA-miRNA binding relationship through the circBank database, predicted the miRNA-mRNA binding relationship through the TargetScan database, and finally obtained the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network through which QKI promoted the EMT process. RESULTS Compared with normal control tissue, QKI expression was significantly upregulated in tumour tissue samples of oesophageal cancer patients. High expression of QKI may promote the EMT process in oesophageal cancer. QKI promotes hsa_circ_0006646 and hsa_circ_0061395 generation by regulating the variable shear of BACH1 and PTK2. In oesophageal cancer, QKI may promote the production of the above two circRNAs by regulating variable splicing, and these circRNAs further competitively bind miRNAs to relieve the targeted inhibition of IL-11, MFAP2, MMP10, and MMP1 and finally promote the EMT process. CONCLUSION Variable shear factor QKI promotes hsa_circ_0006646 and hsa_circ_0061395 generation, and downstream related miRNAs can relieve the targeted inhibition of EMT-related genes (IL11, MFAP2, MMP10, MMP1) and promote the occurrence and development of oesophageal cancer, providing a new theoretical basis for screening prognostic markers of oesophageal cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yishuang Cui
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
- Department of Hebei Key Laboratory of Medical-Industrial Integration Precision Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
| | - Yanan Wu
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
- Department of Hebei Key Laboratory of Medical-Industrial Integration Precision Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
| | - Yingze Zhu
- Department of Hebei Key Laboratory of Medical-Industrial Integration Precision Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
- Affiliated Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Hebei Key Laboratory of Medical-Industrial Integration Precision Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
- Affiliated Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
| | - Lanxiang Huang
- Department of Hebei Key Laboratory of Medical-Industrial Integration Precision Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
- Affiliated Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
| | - Ziqian Hong
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
- Department of Hebei Key Laboratory of Medical-Industrial Integration Precision Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
| | - Mengshi Zhang
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
- Department of Hebei Key Laboratory of Medical-Industrial Integration Precision Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
| | - Xuan Zheng
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
- Department of Hebei Key Laboratory of Medical-Industrial Integration Precision Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
| | - Guogui Sun
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
- Department of Hebei Key Laboratory of Medical-Industrial Integration Precision Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
- Affiliated Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China
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Luo Y, Ge P, Wen H, Zhang Y, Liu J, Dong X, Lan B, Zhang G, Yang Q, Chen H. C/EBPβ Promotes LPS-Induced IL-1β Transcription and Secretion in Alveolar Macrophages via NOD2 Signaling. J Inflamm Res 2022; 15:5247-5263. [PMID: 36120185 PMCID: PMC9477153 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s377499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective C/EBPβ, a crucial transcription factor, regulates innate immunity and inflammatory responses. However, the role played by C/EBPβ in alveolar macrophage (AM) inflammatory responses remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of C/EBPβ in alveolar macrophages (AMs) from the transcriptional level and to search for natural compounds targeting C/EBPβ. Methods Rat AMs were infected with Lv-sh-C/EBPβ and treated with LPS, and the expression levels of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were measured by RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and ELISA. Mechanistically, transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed changes in gene expression patterns in AMs after LPS stimulation and C/EBPβ knockdown. Functional enrichment analyses and rescue experiments identified and validated inflammation-associated cell signaling pathways regulated by C/EBPβ. Furthermore, virtual screening was used to search for natural compounds that inhibit C/EBPβ with the structure of helenalin as a reference. Results Following stimulation with LPS, AMs exhibited an increased expression of C/EBPβ. C/EBPβ knockdown significantly decreased the expression levels of inflammatory mediators. A total of 374 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between LPS-stimulated C/EBPβ knockdown and negative control cells. The NOD-like receptor signaling may be a key target for C/EBPβ, according to functional enrichment analyses of the DEGs. Further experiments showed that the muramyl dipeptide (MDP, NOD2 agonist) reversed the downregulation of inflammatory mediators and the NF-κB pathway caused by the C/EBPβ knockdown. The virtual screening revealed that N-caffeoyltryptophan, orilotimod, and petasiphenone have comparable pharmacological properties to helenalin (a known C/EBPβ inhibitor) and demonstrate a great binding capacity to C/EBPβ. Conclusion Ablation of C/EBPβ may attenuate LPS-induced inflammatory damage in AMs by inhibiting the NOD2 receptor signaling pathway. Three natural compounds, N-caffeoyltryptophan, orilotimod, and petasiphenone, may be potential C/EBPβ inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Luo
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China.,Institute (College) of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Ge
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China.,Institute (College) of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiyun Wen
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China.,Institute (College) of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Yibo Zhang
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China.,Institute (College) of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin Liu
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuanchi Dong
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Bowen Lan
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Guixin Zhang
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China.,Institute (College) of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Yang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Hailong Chen
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China.,Institute (College) of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
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Xiao J, Joseph S, Xia M, Teng F, Chen X, Huang R, Zhai L, Deng W. Circular RNAs Acting as miRNAs’ Sponges and Their Roles in Stem Cells. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11102909. [PMID: 35629034 PMCID: PMC9145679 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11102909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a novel type of endogenous RNAs, have become a subject of intensive research. It has been found that circRNAs are important players in cell differentiation and tissue homeostasis, as well as disease development. Moreover, the expression of circRNAs is usually not correlated with their parental gene expression, indicating that they are not only a steady-state by-product of mRNA splicing but a product of variable splicing under novel regulation. Sequence conservation analysis has also demonstrated that circRNAs have important non-coding functions. CircRNAs exist as a covalently closed loop form in mammalian cells, where they regulate cellular transcription and translation processes. CircRNAs are built from pre-messenger RNAs, and their biogenesis involves back-splicing, which is catalyzed by spliceosomes. The splicing reaction gives rise to three different types of intronic, exotic and exon–intron circular RNAs. Due to higher nuclease stability and longer half lives in cells, circRNAs are more stable than linear RNAs and have enormous clinical advantage for use as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for disease. In recent years, it has been reported that circRNAs in stem cells play a crucial role in stem cell function. In this article, we reviewed the general feature of circRNAs and the distinct roles of circRNAs in stem cell biology, including regulation of stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. CircRNAs have shown unique expression profiles during differentiation of stem cells and could serve as promising biomarkers of these cells. As circRNAs play pivotal roles in stem cell regulation as well as the development and progression of various diseases, we also discuss opportunities and challenges of circRNA-based treatment strategies in future effective therapies for promising clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Xiao
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, China; (J.X.); (S.J.); (M.X.); (F.T.); (X.C.); (R.H.)
| | - Shija Joseph
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, China; (J.X.); (S.J.); (M.X.); (F.T.); (X.C.); (R.H.)
| | - Mengwei Xia
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, China; (J.X.); (S.J.); (M.X.); (F.T.); (X.C.); (R.H.)
| | - Feng Teng
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, China; (J.X.); (S.J.); (M.X.); (F.T.); (X.C.); (R.H.)
| | - Xuejiao Chen
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, China; (J.X.); (S.J.); (M.X.); (F.T.); (X.C.); (R.H.)
| | - Rufeng Huang
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, China; (J.X.); (S.J.); (M.X.); (F.T.); (X.C.); (R.H.)
| | - Lihong Zhai
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, China; (J.X.); (S.J.); (M.X.); (F.T.); (X.C.); (R.H.)
- Correspondence: (L.Z.); (W.D.)
| | - Wenbin Deng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 510060, China
- Jiangxi Deshang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Zhangshu 336000, China
- Correspondence: (L.Z.); (W.D.)
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