miR-142-3p Modulates Cell Invasion and Migration via PKM2-Mediated Aerobic Glycolysis in Colorectal Cancer

Transcriptional regulation and post-translational modifications in the glycolytic pathway for targeted cancer therapy

Cancer cells largely rely on aerobic glycolysis or the Warburg effect to generate essential biomolecules and energy for their rapid growth. The key modulators in glycolysis including glucose transporters and enzymes, e.g. hexokinase 2, enolase 1, pyruvate kinase M2, lactate dehydrogenase A, play indispensable roles in glucose uptake, glucose consumption, ATP generation, lactate production, etc. Transcriptional regulation and post-translational modifications (PTMs) of these critical modulators are important for signal transduction and metabolic reprogramming in the glycolytic pathway, which can provide energy advantages to cancer cell growth. In this review we recapitulate the recent advances in research on glycolytic modulators of cancer cells and analyze the strategies targeting these vital modulators including small-molecule inhibitors and microRNAs (miRNAs) for targeted cancer therapy. We focus on the regulation of the glycolytic pathway at the transcription level (e.g., hypoxia-inducible factor 1, c-MYC, p53, sine oculis homeobox homolog 1, N6-methyladenosine modification) and PTMs (including phosphorylation, methylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, etc.) of the key regulators in these processes. This review will provide a comprehensive understanding of the regulation of the key modulators in the glycolytic pathway and might shed light on the targeted cancer therapy at different molecular levels.

Synthesis and Regulation of miRNA, Its Role in Oncogenesis, and Its Association with Colorectal Cancer Progression, Diagnosis, and Prognosis

The dysfunction of several types of regulators, including miRNAs, has recently attracted scientific attention for their role in cancer-associated changes in gene expression. MiRNAs are small RNAs of ~22 nt in length that do not encode protein information but play an important role in post-transcriptional mRNA regulation. Studies have shown that miRNAs are involved in tumour progression, including cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and tumour angiogenesis and invasion, and play a complex and important role in the regulation of tumourigenesis. The detection of selected miRNAs may help in the early detection of cancer cells, and monitoring changes in their expression profile may serve as a prognostic factor in the course of the disease or its treatment. MiRNAs may serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as potential therapeutic targets for colorectal cancer. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence for an epigenetic interaction between DNA methylation and miRNA expression in tumours. This article provides an overview of selected miRNAs, which are more frequently expressed in colorectal cancer cells, suggesting an oncogenic nature.

Regulatory role of the miR-142-3p/CDC25C axis in modulating autophagy in non-small cell lung cancer

Background

With its diverse genetic foundation and heterogeneous nature, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) needs a better comprehension of prognostic evaluation and efficient treatment targeting.

Methods

Bioinformatics analysis was performed of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-NSCLC and GSE68571 dataset. Overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were used for functional enrichment analysis and constructing the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. In addition, key prognostic genes were identified through prognostic risk models, and their expression levels were verified. The phenotypic effects of cell division cycle 25C (CDC25C) regulation on NSCLC cell lines were assessed by in vitro experiments using various techniques such as flow cytometry, Transwell, and colony formation. Protein levels related to autophagy and apoptosis were assessed, specifically examining the impact of autophagy inhibition [3-methyladenine (3-MA)] and the miR-142-3p/CDC25C axis on this regulatory system.

Results

CDC25C was identified as a key prognostic marker in NSCLC, showing high expression in tumor samples. In vitro experiments showed that CDC25C knockdown markedly reduced the capacity of cells to proliferate, migrate, invade, trigger apoptosis, and initiate cell cycle arrest. CDC25C and miR-142-3p displayed a reciprocal regulatory relationship. CDC25C reversed the inhibitory impacts of miR-142-3p on NSCLC cell cycle proliferation and progression. The synergy of miR-142-3p inhibition, CDC25C silencing, and 3-MA treatment was shown to regulate NSCLC cell processes including proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy.

Conclusions

MiR-142-3p emerged as a key player in governing autophagy and apoptosis by directly targeting CDC25C expression. This emphasizes the pivotal role of the miR-142-3p/CDC25C axis as a critical regulatory pathway in NSCLC.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) impairs hypoxia-induced cellular and exosomal overexpression of immune-checkpoints and immunomodulatory molecules in different subtypes of breast cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Tumor cells express immune-checkpoint molecules to suppress anti-tumor immune responses. In part, immune evasion takes place by secreting exosomes bearing immune-checkpoint and immunomodulatory molecules and their inducing and/or regulating agents e.g., microRNAs (miRs). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on the expression of some selected immune-checkpoint and immunomodulatory molecules and their regulating miRs under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions in triple negative (TNBC) invasive and triple positive non-invasive breast cancer cell lines.

METHODS

MDA-MB-231 and BT-474 cells were treated with 100 µM DHA under hypoxic and normoxic conditions for 24 h. Exosomes were isolated by ultracentrifuge and confirmed by electron microscope and anti-CD9, -CD63, -CD81 immunoblotting. Total RNA from cells and exosomes were extracted and expression of CD39, CD73, CD47, CD80, PD-L1, B7-H3, B7-H4 genes and their related miRs were evaluated by quantitative Real-time PCR.

RESULTS

This study showed significant over-expression of immune-checkpoint and immunomodulatory molecules under hypoxic condition. Treatment with DHA resulted in a significant decrease in immune-checkpoint and immunomodulatory molecule expression as well as an upregulation of their regulatory miRNA expression.

CONCLUSION

DHA supplementation may be utilized in breast cancer therapy for down-regulation of cellular and exosomal immune escape-related molecules.

miR-142-3p/5p role in cancer: From epigenetic regulation to immunomodulation

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in cancer pathobiology, acting as regulators of gene expression and pivotal drivers of tumorigenesis. It is believed that miRNAs act through canonical mechanisms, involving the binding of mature miRNAs to target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and subsequent repression of protein translation or degradation of target mRNAs. miR-142-3p/5p has been extensively studied and established as a key regulator in various malignancies. Recent discoveries have revealed miR-142-3p/5p serve as either oncogene or tumor suppressor in cancer. By targeting epigenetic factor and cancer-related signaling pathway, miR-142-3p/5p can regulate wide range of downstream genes. The immune modulatory role of miR-142-3p/5p has been shown in various cancers, which provides significant insight into immunosuppression and tumor escape from the immune response. Exosomes with miR-142-3p/5p facilitate cell communication and can affect cancer cell behavior, offering potential therapeutic, and diagnosis applications in cancer therapy. In this review, for the first time, we comprehensively summarize the current knowledge regarding mentioned functions of miR-142-3p/5p in cancer pathobiology.

miR-142: A Master Regulator in Hematological Malignancies and Therapeutic Opportunities

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a type of non-coding RNA whose dysregulation is frequently associated with the onset and progression of human cancers. miR-142, an ultra-conserved miRNA with both active -3p and -5p mature strands and wide-ranging physiological targets, has been the subject of countless studies over the years. Due to its preferential expression in hematopoietic cells, miR-142 has been found to be associated with numerous types of lymphomas and leukemias. This review elucidates the multifaceted role of miR-142 in human physiology, its influence on hematopoiesis and hematopoietic cells, and its intriguing involvement in exosome-mediated miR-142 transport. Moreover, we offer a comprehensive exploration of the genetic and molecular landscape of the miR-142 genomic locus, highlighting its mutations and dysregulation within hematological malignancies. Finally, we discuss potential avenues for harnessing the therapeutic potential of miR-142 in the context of hematological malignancies.

Recent advances microRNAs and metabolic reprogramming in colorectal cancer research

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a cancer with the highest incidence and mortality. Alteration of gene expression is the main pathophysiological mechanism of CRC, which results in disturbed signaling pathways and cellular metabolic processes. MicroRNAs are involved in almost all pathophysiological processes and are correlative with colorectal cancer metabolism, proliferation, and chemotherapy resistance. Metabolic reprogramming, an important feature of cancer, is strongly correlative with the development and prognosis of cancers, including colorectal cancer. MicroRNAs can target enzymes involved in metabolic processes, thus playing a regulatory role in tumor metabolism. The disorder of the signaling pathway is another characteristic of tumor, which induces the occurrence and proliferation of tumors, and is closely correlative with the prognosis and chemotherapy resistance of tumor patients. MicroRNAs can target the components of the signaling pathways to regulate their transduction. Understanding the function of microRNAs in the occurrence and proliferation of CRC provides novel insights into the optimal treatment strategies, prognosis, and development of diagnosis in CRC. This article reviews the relationship between CRC and microRNA expression and hopes to provide new options for the diagnosis and treatment of CRC.

PAX5-miR-142 feedback loop promotes breast cancer proliferation by regulating DNMT1 and ZEB1

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies occurred in female around the globe. Recent studies have revealed the crucial characters of miRNA and genes, as well as the essential roles of epigenetic regulation in breast cancer initiation and progression. In our previous study, miR-142-3p was identified as a tumor suppressor and led to G2/M arrest through targeting CDC25C. However, the specific mechanism is still uncertain.

METHODS

We identified PAX5 as the upstream regulator of miR-142-5p/3p through ALGGEN website and verified by series of assays in vitro and in vivo. The expression of PAX5 in breast cancer was detected by qRT-PCR and western blot. Besides, bioinformatics analysis and BSP sequencing were performed to analyze the methylation of PAX5 promoter region. Finally, the binding sites of miR-142 on DNMT1 and ZEB1 were predicted by JASPAR, and proved by luciferase reporter assay, ChIP analysis and co-IP.

RESULTS

PAX5 functioned as a tumor suppressor by positive regulation of miR-142-5p/3p both in vitro and in vivo. The expression of PAX5 was regulated by the methylation of its promoter region induced by DNMT1 and ZEB1. In addition, miR-142-5p/3p could regulate the expression of DNMT1 and ZEB1 through binding with their 3'UTR region, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In summary, PAX5-miR-142-DNMT1/ZEB1 constructed a negative feedback loop to regulate the progression of breast cancer, which provided emerging strategies for breast cancer therapy.