miR-4731-5p Enhances Apoptosis and Alleviates Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition through Targeting RPLP0 in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Circular RNA ATP9A Stimulates Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Progression via MicroRNA-582-3p/Ribosomal Protein Large P0 Axis and Activating Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Protein Kinase B Signaling Pathway

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), along with their pathogenic property in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), require comprehensive analyses and explanations. The study is established with the purpose to elucidate the potential molecular mechanism of circATP9A in NSCLC. CircATP9A and microRNA (miR)-582-3p were evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and ribosomal protein large P0 (RPLP0), cleaved caspase-3, cleaved Ki-67, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated proteins (N-cadherin and E-cadherin), and core proteins of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway were by Western blot. The processes of proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were measured by cell counting kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'deoxyuridine, flow cytometry, and Transwell. Gene interaction was verified by RNA immunoprecipitation and dual luciferase reporter assay. CircATP9A and RPLP0 were abnormally highly expressed in both NSCLC tissues and cell lines, while miR-582-3p was abnormally low. Knockdown of circATP9A reduced NSCLC proliferation, invasion migration, and EMT and promoted apoptosis. This was further validated in nude mouse xenograft experiments. The inhibitory effect of knockdown of circATP9A on NSCLC was reversed by knockdown of miR-582-3p. In addition, the promoting effect of overexpression of circATP9A on NSCLC was reversed by knockdown of RPLP0. Mechanistically, circATP9A acted as a competitive endogenous RNA, sequestering miR-582-3p away from its target, which in turn modulated the expression of RPLP0. CircATP9A activated the miR-582-3p/RPLP0 axis by regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway in NSCLC cells. CircATP9A stimulates NSCLC progression via miR-582-3p/RPLP0 axis and PI3K/AKT cascade activation.

MicroRNA-450b-5p modulated RPLP0 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression via activating JAK/STAT3 pathway

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is distinguished by its insidious onset, difficult treatment, and poor prognosis. Ribosomal Protein Lateral Stalk Subunit P0 (RPLP0) is implicated in numerous tumor progression processes. Nevertheless, the regulatory mechanism of RPLP0 in HCC progression remains unclear. Our study suggested that RPLP0 exhibits high expression levels in HCC and possesses promising diagnostic capabilities, as indicated by its area under the curve (AUC) of 0.908. Further analysis showed that RPLP0 was a significant independent prognostic factor, and elevated expression levels of RPLP0 were linked with poorer overall survival (OS) and progression-free interval (PFI) outcomes. Additionally, reducing RPLP0 levels led to a decrease in HCC cell proliferation, clonality, invasion, migration, and xenograft tumor growth, as well as an increase in apoptosis. Furthermore, our findings indicated that microRNA(miR)-450b-5p induced downregulation of RPLP0, leading to the suppression of the JAK/STAT3 pathway and consequently hindering the advancement of HCC. The study indicates that RPLP0 plays a role as a carcinogenic factor in HCC and carries important diagnostic and prognostic implications. Targeting the miR-450b-5p/RPLP0/JAK/STAT3 axis has potential clinical value in treating HCC.

Exploring the function and prognostic value of RPLP0, RPLP1 and RPLP2 expression in lung adenocarcinoma

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is characterized by its heterogeneity and poor prognosis. The role of ribosomal proteins RPLP0, RPLP1 and RPLP2 in multiple cancers has been implicated. However, their function in LUAD and their correlation with the poor prognosis of LUAD remains elusive. In this study, we performed a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of the impact of these ribosomal proteins on LUAD. Our findings reveal that RPLP0, RPLP1 and RPLP2 are overexpressed in LUAD, which are likely attributed to abnormal copy number variations and decreased methylation levels of their promoters. LUAD patients with high expression of RPLP0, RPLP1 or RPLP2 have worse clinical outcomes in terms of overall survival (OS), first progression (FP) and post-progression survival (PPS), indicating poor prognosis. Moreover, the expression of RPLP0, RPLP1 and RPLP2 affects immune cell infiltration in LUAD tissues. Finally, we identified multiple existing drugs that may inhibit the expression of RPLP1 and RPLP2. Collectively, our data implicate the oncogenic role of RPLP0, RPLP1 and RPLP2 in LUAD and underscore their prognostic value in LUAD patients.

The identification of hub genes associated with pure ground glass nodules using weighted gene co-expression network analysis

BACKGROUND

Whether there are invasive components in pure ground glass nodules(pGGNs) in the lungs is still a huge challenge to forecast. The objective of our study is to investigate and identify the potential biomarker genes for pure ground glass nodule(pGGN) based on the method of bioinformatics analysis.

METHODS

To investigate differentially expressed genes (DEGs), firstly the data obtained from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database was used.Next Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) investigate the co-expression network of DEGs. The black key module was chosen as the key one in correlation with pGGN. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways analyses were done. Then STRING was uesd to create a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and the chosen module genes were analyzed by Cytoscape software.In addition the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to evaluate the value of these hub genes in pGGN patients' tumor tissues compared to controls.

RESULTS

A total of 4475 DEGs were screened out from GSE193725, then 225 DEGs were identified in black key module, which were found to be enriched for various functions and pathways, such as extracellular exosome, vesicle, ribosome and so on. Among these DEGs, 6 overlapped hub genes with high degrees of stress method were selected. These hub genes include RPL4, RPL8, RPLP0, RPS16, RPS2 and CCT3.At last relative expression levels of CCT3 and RPL8 mRNA were both regulated in pGGN patients' tumor tissues compared to controls.

CONCLUSIONS

To summarize, the determined DEGs, pathways, modules, and overlapped hub genes can throw light on the potential molecular mechanisms of pGGN.

Role of MicroRNA-214 in Dishevelled1-Modulated β-catenin Signalling in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Progression

Background: The mortality of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is rather high. This is largely because of the lack of specific targets and understanding of the molecular mechanism for early diagnosis. Dishevelled (Dvl) dysregulation leads to malignant progression. We confirmed that Dvl1 expression is associated with a poor prognosis of patients with NSCLC. However, how Dvl1 transmits signals through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway remains unknown. Methods: In this study, the expression levels of Dvl1 and β-catenin in resected NSCLC samples were immunohistochemically analysed. Dvl1 cDNA and small interfering RNA against β-catenin were transfected into NSCLC cells, and their effects on canonical Wnt signalling and biological behaviour of NSCLC cells were analysed. Using bioinformatics analyses, an interaction between microRNA (miR)-214 and β-catenin was identified; miR-214 expression was determined in NSCLC tissues using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. An exogenous miR-214 (mimic) was used to analyse the biological behaviour of NSCLC cells and the effect of Dvl1 on canonical Wnt activation. Results: Dvl1 overexpression in NSCLC tissues as well as Dvl1 and β-catenin nuclear coexpression were significantly associated with poor prognosis of NSCLC (P < 0.05). Additionally, Dvl1 promoted Wnt/β-catenin signalling to enhance the malignant phenotype of NSCLC cells. Moreover, miR-214 directly targeted the 3' untranslated region of β-catenin to inhibit the activation of canonical Wnt signalling induced by Dvl1. Conclusions: Our results suggest that Dvl1 is a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC and that miR-214 plays an inhibitory role in Dvl1-mediated activation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling in NSCLC cells, which could affect NSCLC progression.

Circ_0000808 promotes the development of non-small cell lung cancer by regulating glutamine metabolism via the miR-1827/SLC1A5 axis

Background

Circular RNA (circRNA) has been proved to be an important molecular target for cancer treatment. However, the function and molecular mechanism of circ_0000808 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are still unclear.

Methods

Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of circ_0000808, miR-1827, and solute carrier family 1 member 5 (SLC1A5). Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were measured by cell counting kit 8 assay, colony formation assay, EdU staining, flow cytometry, wound healing assay, and transwell assay. The protein expression was measured by Western blot analysis. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay were used to investigate the interactions between miR-1827 and circ_0000808 or SLC1A5. Cell glutamine metabolism was assessed by determining glutamine uptake, glutamate production, and α-ketoglutarate production. Xenograft mouse model was used to assess the in vivo effects of circ_0000808.

Results

Circ_0000808 expression was upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cancer cells, and its silencing inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and led to apoptosis. Further results confirmed that circ_0000808 interacted with miR-1827 to positively regulate SLC1A5. The rescue experiments showed that miR-1827 inhibitor reversed the suppressive effect of circ_0000808 knockdown on the malignant behaviors of NSCLC cells. Also, SLC1A5 overexpression abolished the inhibition effect of miR-1827 on NSCLC cell progression. In addition, circ_0000808/miR-1827/SLC1A5 axis positively regulated the glutamine metabolism process in NSCLC cells. Moreover, circ_0000808 knockdown reduced the NSCLC tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusion

In summary, our data showed that circ_0000808 enhanced the progression of NSCLC by promoting glutamine metabolism through the miR-1827/SLC1A5 axis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12957-022-02777-x.