LINC01605 promotes aerobic glycolysis through LDHA in triple-negative breast cancer

Comprehensive multi-omics analysis reveals a combination of lncRNAs that synergistically regulate glycolysis and immunotherapeutic effects in renal clear cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Clear cell renal carcinoma is a common urological malignancy with poor prognosis and treatment outcomes. lncRNAs are important in metabolic reprogramming and the tumor immune microenvironment, but their role in clear cell renal carcinoma is unclear.

METHODS

Renal clear cell carcinoma sample data from The Cancer Genome Atlas was used to establish a new risk profile by glycolysis-associated lncRNAs via machine learning. Risk profile-associated column-line plots were constructed to provide a quantitative tool for clinical practice. Patients with renal clear cell carcinoma were divided into high- and low-risk groups. Clinical features, tumor immune microenvironments, and immunotherapy responses were systematically analyzed. We experimentally confirmed the role of LINC01138 and LINC01605 in renal clear cell carcinoma.

RESULTS

The risk profile, consisting of LUCAT1, LINC01138, LINC01605, and HOTAIR, reliably predicted survival in patients with renal clear cell carcinoma and was validated in multiple external datasets. The high-risk group presented higher levels of immune cell infiltration and better immunotherapy responses than the low-risk group. LINC01138 and LINC01605 knockdown inhibited the proliferation of renal clear cell carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The identified risk profiles can accurately assess the prognosis of patients with clear cell renal carcinoma and identify patient populations that would benefit from immunotherapy, providing valuable insights and therapeutic targets for the clinical management of clear cell renal carcinoma.

The lncRNA LINC01605 promotes the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by activating the mTOR signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the molecular mechanism of long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 1605 (LINC01605) in the process of tumor growth and liver metastasis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

METHODS

LINC01605 was filtered out with specificity through TCGA datasets (related to DFS) and our RNA-sequencing data of PDAC tissue samples from Renji Hospital. The expression level and clinical relevance of LINC01605 were then verified in clinical cohorts and samples by immunohistochemical staining assay and survival analysis. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments were performed to estimate the regulatory effects of LINC01605 in vitro. RNA-seq of LINC01605-knockdown PDAC cells and subsequent inhibitor-based cellular function, western blotting, immunofluorescence and rescue experiments were conducted to explore the mechanisms by which LINC01605 regulates the behaviors of PDAC tumor cells. Subcutaneous xenograft models and intrasplenic liver metastasis models were employed to study its role in PDAC tumor growth and liver metastasis in vivo.

RESULTS

LINC01605 expression is upregulated in both PDAC primary tumor and liver metastasis tissues and correlates with poor clinical prognosis. Loss and gain of function experiments in cells demonstrated that LINC01605 promotes the proliferation and migration of PDAC cells in vitro. In subsequent verification experiments, we found that LINC01605 contributes to PDAC progression through cholesterol metabolism regulation in a LIN28B-interacting manner by activating the mTOR signaling pathway. Furthermore, the animal models showed that LINC01605 facilitates the proliferation and metastatic invasion of PDAC cells in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the upregulated lncRNA LINC01605 promotes PDAC tumor cell proliferation and migration by regulating cholesterol metabolism via activation of the mTOR signaling pathway in a LIN28B-interacting manner. These findings provide new insight into the role of LINC01605 in PDAC tumor growth and liver metastasis as well as its value for clinical approaches as a metabolic therapeutic target in PDAC.

The Long Non-Coding RNA Gene AC027288.3 Plays a Role in Human Endometrial Stromal Fibroblast Decidualization

During the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, endometrial fibroblast cells begin to change into large epithelial-like cells called decidual cells in a process called decidualization. This differentiation continues more broadly in the endometrium and forms the decidual tissue during early pregnancy. The cells undergoing decidualization as well as the resulting decidual cells, support successful implantation and placentation during early pregnancy. This study was carried out to identify new potentially important long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) genes that may play a role in human endometrial stromal fibroblast cells (hESF) undergoing decidualization in vitro, and several were found. The expression of nine was further characterized. One of these, AC027288.3, showed a dramatic increase in the expression of hESF cells undergoing decidualization. When AC027288.3 expression was targeted, the ability of the cells to undergo decidualization as determined by the expression of decidualization marker protein-coding genes was significantly altered. The most affected markers of decidualization whose expression was significantly reduced were FOXO1, FZD4, and INHBA. Therefore, AC027288.3 may be a major upstream regulator of the WNT-FOXO1 pathway and activin-SMAD3 pathways previously shown as critical for hESF decidualization. Finally, we explored possible regulators of AC027288.3 expression during human ESF decidualization. Expression was regulated by cAMP and progesterone. Our results suggest that AC027288.3 plays a role in hESF decidualization and identifies several other lncRNA genes that may also play a role.

Knockdown of Glycolysis-Related LINC01070 Inhibits the Progression of Breast Cancer

Accumulative evidence confirms that glycolysis and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are closely associated with tumor development. The aim of this study was to construct a novel prognostic model based on glycolysis-related lncRNAs (GRLs) in breast cancer patients. By performing Pearson correlation analysis and Lasso regression analysis on differentially expressed genes and lncRNAs associated with glycolysis in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) datasets, we identified nine GRLs and constructed associated prognostic risk signature. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and univariate and multivariate Cox analysis showed that patients in the low-risk group had a better prognosis. The receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curves showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of the prognostic risk signature predicting patients' overall survival at 1-, 3- and 5- years was 0.78, 0.71, and 0.71, respectively. Moreover, the validation curves also showed that the signature had better diagnostic efficacy and clinical predictive power. Furthermore, clone formation assay, EdU assay, and Transwell assay showed that knockdown of LINC01070 inhibited breast cancer progression. We developed a prognostic risk-associated GRLs signature that can accurately predict the breast cancer patient's prognostic status, and LINC01070 can be used as a potential biomarker for the prognosis of breast cancer patients.

LCN2 Promotes Proliferation and Glycolysis by Activating the JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of LCN2 regulating aerobic glycolysis on abnormal proliferation of HCC cells. Based on the prediction of GEPIA database, the expression levels of LCN2 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues were detected by RT-qPCR analysis, western blot, and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. In addition, CCK-8 kit, clone formation, and EdU staining were used to analyze the effect of LCN2 on the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Glucose uptake and lactate production were detected using kits. In addition, western blot was used to detect the expressions of aerobic glycolysis-related proteins. Finally, western blot was used to detect the expressions of phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3. We found LCN2 was upregualted in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. CCK-8 kit, clone formation, and EdU staining results showed that LCN2 could promote the proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma cells (Huh7 and HCCLM3 cells). Western blot results and kits confirmed that LCN2 significantly promotes aerobic glycolysis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Western blot results showed that LCN2 could significantly upregulate the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3. Our results indicated that LCN2 activated the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, promoted aerobic glycolysis, and accelerated malignant proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

ERK/PKM2 Is Mediated in the Warburg Effect and Cell Proliferation in Arsenic-Induced Human L-02 Hepatocytes

This study aimed to investigate the potential role of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) and extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) in arsenic-induced cell proliferation. L-02 cells were treated with 0.2 and 0.4 μmol/L As3+, glycolysis inhibitor (2-deoxy-D-glucose,2-DG), ERK inhibitor [1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano-1,4-bis(2-aminophenylthio)-butadiene, U0126] or transfected with PKM2 plasmid. Cell viability, proliferation, lactate acid production, and glucose intake capacity were determined by CCK-8 assay, EdU assay, lactic acid kit and 2-deoxy-2-[(7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl) amino]-D-glucose (2-NBDG) uptake kit, respectively. Also, levels of PKM2, phospho-PKM2S37, glucose transporter protein 1 (GLUT1), lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), ERK, and phospho-ERK were detected using Western blot and the subcellular localization of PKM2 in L-02 cells was detected by immunocytochemistry (ICC). Treatment with 0.2 and 0.4 μmol/L As3+ for 48 h increased the viability and proliferation of L-02 cells, the proportion of 2-NBDG+ cell and lactic acid in the culture medium, and GLUT1, LDHA, PKM2, phospho-PKM2S37, and phospho-ERK levels and PKM2 in nucleus. Compared with the 0.2 μmol/L As3+ treatment group, the lactic acid in the culture medium, cell proliferation and cell viability, and the expression of GLUT1 and LDHA were reduced in the group co-treated with siRNA-PKM2 and arsenic or in the group co-treated with U0126. Moreover, the arsenic-increased phospho-PKM2S37/PKM2 was decreased by U0126. Therefore, ERK/PKM2 plays a key role in the Warburg effect and proliferation of L-02 cells induced by arsenic, and also might be involved in arsenic-induced upregulation of GLUT1 and LDHA. This study provides a theoretical basis for further elucidating the carcinogenic mechanism of arsenic.

Long noncoding RNA LINC00885 upregulates NCK1 to promote cell viability and migration of triple-negative breast cancer cells through sponging miR-654-3p

BACKGROUND

LINC00885 is a novel oncogenic long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) which is upregulated in various types of cancer, but its function in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unknown.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the role of LINC00885 on TNBC development.

METHODS

Clinical interrelation and survival analysis were determined using online database. The CCK-8 and Transwell assays were used to detect the proliferation and migration behaviors in TNBC cell lines. The interaction among genes was detected by RNA pull down assay.

RESULTS

LncRNA LINC00885 was highly expressed in TNBC compared to normal breast like. Low levels of LINC00885 was related to good prognosis in TNBC patients compared to TNBC patients with high LINC00885. LINC00885-downregulation inhibited, whereas LINC00885-overexpression promoted the proliferation and migration capability of TNBC cell lines. In TNBC cell lines, noncatalytic region of tyrosine kinase 1 (NCK1) expression was positively associated with LINC00885 expression, and shRNA-mediated the depletion of NCK1 significantly abolished LINC00885 upregulation-mediated pro-tumor effects. Combined with online databases, miR-654-3p was screened as the direct target gene of LINC00885, which could directly bind to 3'-untranslated regions (3'-UTR) of NCK1, resulting in the decreased expression of NCK1 in TNBC cell lines. LINC00885 overexpression-mediated the upregulation of NCK1 was abrogated by miR-654-3p mimics. MiR-654-3p mimics significantly rescued the tumor promotive role caused by LINC00885-overexpression. However, exogenous NCK1 notably eliminated the anti-tumor effects caused by miR-654-3p mimics in LINC00885-overexpressed cells.

CONCLUSIONS

LINC00885 is expressed at a high level in TNBC. LINC00885 promoted proliferation and migration by regulating the miR-654-3p/NCK1 axis in TNBC cell lines. Possibly, LINC00885 can be served as a potential therapeutic target for TNBC.

LINC01605 Is a Novel Target of Mutant p53 in Breast and Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines

TP53 is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancers. Most TP53 genomic alterations are missense mutations, which cause a loss of its tumour suppressor functions while providing mutant p53 (mut_p53) with oncogenic features (gain-of-function). Loss of p53 tumour suppressor functions alters the transcription of both protein-coding and non-protein-coding genes. Gain-of-function of mut_p53 triggers modification in gene expression as well; however, the impact of mut_p53 on the transcription of the non-protein-coding genes and whether these non-protein-coding genes affect oncogenic properties of cancer cell lines are not fully explored. In this study, we suggested that LINC01605 (also known as lincDUSP) is a long non-coding RNA regulated by mut_p53 and proved that mut_p53 directly regulates LINC01605 by binding to an enhancer region downstream of the LINC01605 locus. We also showed that the loss or downregulation of LINC01605 impairs cell migration in a breast cancer cell line. Eventually, by performing a combined analysis of RNA-seq data generated in mut_TP53-silenced and LINC01605 knockout cells, we showed that LINC01605 and mut_p53 share common gene pathways. Overall, our findings underline the importance of ncRNAs in the mut_p53 network in breast and ovarian cancer cell lines and in particular the importance of LINC01605 in mut_p53 pro-migratory pathways.

Non-coding RNAs in breast cancer: with a focus on glucose metabolism reprogramming

Breast cancer is the tumor with the highest incidence in women worldwide. According to research, the poor prognosis of breast cancer is closely related to abnormal glucose metabolism in tumor cells. Changes in glucose metabolism in tumor cells are an important feature. When sufficient oxygen is available, cancer cells tend to undergo glycolysis rather than oxidative phosphorylation, which promotes rapid proliferation and invasion of tumor cells. As research deepens, targeting the glucose metabolism pathway of tumor cells is seen as a promising treatment. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), a recent focus of research, are involved in the regulation of enzymes of glucose metabolism and related cancer signaling pathways in breast cancer cells. This article reviews the regulatory effect and mechanism of ncRNAs on glucose metabolism in breast cancer cells and provides new ideas for the treatment of breast cancer.

Revisiting the hallmarks of cancer: A new look at long noncoding RNAs in breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women worldwide. The increasing understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying its heterogeneity favors a better understanding of tumor biology and consequently the development of better diagnostic and treatment techniques. The advent of tumor genome sequencing techniques has highlighted more participants in the process, in addition to protein-coding genes. Thus, it is now known that long noncoding RNAs, previously described as transcriptional noise with no biological function, are intimately associated with tumor development. In breast cancer, they are abnormally expressed and closely associated with tumor progression, which makes them attractive diagnostic biomarkers and prognostic and specific therapeutic targets. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of long noncoding RNAs in breast cancer is essential for the search for new treatment strategies. In this review, we summarize the major long noncoding RNAs and their association with the cancer characteristics of the ability to sustain proliferative signaling, evasion of growth suppressors, replicative immortality, activation of invasion and metastasis, induction of angiogenesis, resistance to cell death, reprogramming of energy metabolism, genomic instability and sustained mutations, promotion of tumor inflammation, and evasion of the immune system. In addition, we report and suggest how they can be used as prognostic biomarkers and possible therapeutic targets.

The significance of glycolysis in tumor progression and its relationship with the tumor microenvironment

It is well known that tumor cells rely mainly on aerobic glycolysis for energy production even in the presence of oxygen, and glycolysis is a known modulator of tumorigenesis and tumor development. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is composed of tumor cells, various immune cells, cytokines, and extracellular matrix, among other factors, and is a complex niche supporting the survival and development of tumor cells and through which they interact and co-evolve with other tumor cells. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in glycolysis and the TME. Many studies have found that glycolysis promotes tumor growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance, as well as inhibiting the apoptosis of tumor cells. In addition, lactic acid, a metabolite of glycolysis, can also accumulate in the TME, leading to reduced extracellular pH and immunosuppression, and affecting the TME. This review discusses the significance of glycolysis in tumor development, its association with the TME, and potential glycolysis-targeted therapies, to provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of tumors.

A cuproptosis-related lncRNA signature identified prognosis and tumour immune microenvironment in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma

Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) is a heterogeneous malignant tumor with high incidence, metastasis, and mortality. The imbalance of copper homeostasis can produce cytotoxicity and cause cell damage. At the same time, copper can also induce tumor cell death and inhibit tumor transformation. The latest research found that this copper-induced cell death is different from the known cell death pathway, so it is defined as cuproptosis. We included 539 KIRC samples and 72 normal tissues from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) in our study. After identifying long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) significantly associated with cuproptosis, we clustered 526 KIRC samples based on the prognostic lncRNAs and obtained two different patterns (Cuproptosis.C1 and C2). C1 indicated an obviously worse prognostic outcome and possessed a higher immune score and immune cell infiltration level. Moreover, a prognosis signature (CRGscore) was constructed to effectively and accurately evaluate the overall survival (OS) of KIRC patients. There were significant differences in tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and tumor mutation burden (TMB) between CRGscore-defined groups. CRGscore also has the potential to predict medicine efficacy.