MiR-124-5p Inhibits the Progression of Gastric Cancer by Targeting MIEN1

Mechanistic insights into the role of traditional Chinese medicine in treating gastric cancer

Gastric cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with advanced stages presenting significant challenges due to metastasis and drug resistance. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a promising complementary approach characterized by holistic treatment principles and minimal side effects. This review comprehensively explores the multifaceted mechanisms by which TCM addresses gastric cancer. Specifically, we detail how TCM inhibits aerobic glycolysis by downregulating key glycolytic enzymes and metabolic pathways, thereby reducing the energy supply essential for cancer cell proliferation. We examine how TCM suppresses angiogenesis by targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathways, effectively starving tumors of nutrients and oxygen required for growth and metastasis. Furthermore, TCM modulates the immune microenvironment by enhancing the activity of effector immune cells such as CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells while reducing immunosuppressive cells like regulatory T cells (Tregs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). These actions collectively contribute to slowing tumor progression, inhibiting metastasis, and enhancing the body's antitumor response. The insights presented underscore the significant potential of TCM as an integral component of comprehensive gastric cancer treatment strategies, highlighting avenues for future research and clinical application to improve patient outcomes.

Long Noncoding RNA CRNDE Promotes Gastric Cancer Progression through Targeting miR-136-5p/MIEN1

Background: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to the initiation and progression of gastric cancer (GC). This study examined the potential role of lncRNA colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE) in modulating the expression of migration and invasion enhancer 1 (MIEN1) through the suppression of miR-136-5p in GC. Methods: The biological roles of CRNDE, miR-136-5p, and MIEN1 in GC were assessed both in laboratory settings and through the examination of clinical samples. Results: CRNDE was found to be significantly increased in GC tissues, and this upregulation was associated with an unfavorable prognosis of GC patients. In vitro experiments showed that inhibiting cell growth and migration, along with promoting apoptosis in GC cells, could be achieved by either disabling CRNDE or MIEN1, or by increasing the expression of miR-136-5p. MIEN1 is a specific recipient of miR-136-5p, and the anticancer effects of miR-136-5p can be counteracted by the increased expression of MIEN1. Through the examination of clinical specimens, it has been observed that there is a significant positive correlation between the expression of MIEN1 and CRNDE. In contrast, miR-136-5p expression in GC tissues shows a negative correlation. Conclusion: A previously unexplored therapeutic target for GC involves the CRNDE/miR-136-5p/MIEN1 signal transduction cascade.

MIEN1 on the 17q12 amplicon facilitates the malignant behaviors of gastric cancer via activating IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 pathway

Oncogene amplification is a significant factor contributing to poor prognosis and limited treatment in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Therefore, identifying amplified oncogenes and elucidating their oncogenic mechanisms will provide reliable therapeutic targets for the clinical treatment of gastric cancer. In this study, we identify a high amplification of 17q12, which includes five oncogenes that are co-amplified and co-overexpressed with ERBB2 using array comparative genomic hybridization, with migration and invasion enhancer 1 (MIEN1) being particularly highlighted for its clinical significance, function, and role in gastric cancer progression. By detecting MIEN1 copy number and expression level across eight gastric cancer cell lines and in tissue microarrays from 543 primary gastric cancer tissues, we found that MIEN1 amplification and overexpression correlated with sex and Lauren's intestinal type classification of gastric cancer. Besides that, elevated MIEN1 expression was associated with poorer patient survival. In vitro experiments have shown that MIEN1 overexpression enhanced cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, whereas MIEN1 knockdown reversed these malignant phenotypes in vitro. Furthermore, MIEN1 knockdown inhibited tumorigenesis and metastasis of gastric cancer cells in nude mice. Mechanistically, MIEN1 activates the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, which drives the proliferation, invasion, and migration of gastric cancer cells. This study demonstrates that MIEN1 contributes to the malignant behavior of gastric cancer through the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 pathway, suggesting that MIEN1 could serve as a valuable therapeutic target for gastric cancer.

From LncRNA to metastasis: The MALAT1-EMT axis in cancer progression

Cancer is a complex disease that causes abnormal genetic changes and unchecked cellular growth. It also causes a disruption in the normal regulatory processes that leads to the creation of malignant tissue. The complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and epigenetic variables influences its etiology. Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have emerged as pivotal contributors within the intricate landscape of cancer biology, orchestrating an array of multifaceted cellular processes that substantiate the processes of carcinogenesis and metastasis. Metastasis is a crucial driver of cancer mortality. Among these, MALAT1 (Metastasis-Associated Lung Adenocarcinoma Transcript 1) has drawn a lot of interest for its function in encouraging metastasis via controlling the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) procedure. MALAT1 exerts a pivotal influence on the process of EMT, thereby promoting metastasis to distant organs. The mechanistic underpinning of this phenomenon involves the orchestration of an intricate regulatory network encompassing transcription factors, signalling cascades, and genes intricately associated with the EMT process by MALAT1. Its crucial function in transforming tumor cells into an aggressive phenotype is highlighted by its capacity to influence the expression of essential EMT effectors such as N-cadherin, E-cadherin, and Snail. An understanding of the MALAT1-EMT axis provides potential therapeutic approaches for cancer intervention. Targeting MALAT1 or its downstream EMT effectors may reduce the spread of metastatic disease and improve the effectiveness of already available therapies. Understanding the MALAT1-EMT axis holds significant clinical implications. Therefore, directing attention towards MALAT1 or its downstream mediators could present innovative therapeutic strategies for mitigating metastasis and improving patient prognosis. This study highlights the importance of MALAT1 in cancer biology and its potential for cutting back on metastatic disease with novel treatment strategies.

Chromosome instability region analysis and identification of the driver genes of the epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines A2780 and SKOV3

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the most prevalent gynaecological cancers worldwide. The molecular mechanisms of serous ovarian cancer (SOC) remain unclear and not well understood. SOC cases are primarily diagnosed at the late stage, resulting in a poor prognosis. Advances in molecular biology techniques allow us to obtain a better understanding of precise molecular mechanisms and to identify the chromosome instability region and key driver genes in the carcinogenesis and progression of SOC. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on the normal ovarian cell line IOSE80 and the EOC cell lines SKOV3 and A2780. The single-nucleotide variation burden, distribution, frequency and signature followed the known ovarian mutation profiles, without chromosomal bias. Recurrently mutated ovarian cancer driver genes, including LRP1B, KMT2A, ARID1A, KMT2C and ATRX were also found in two cell lines. The genome distribution of copy number alterations was found by copy number variation (CNV) analysis, including amplification of 17q12 and 4p16.1 and deletion of 10q23.33. The CNVs of MED1, GRB7 and MIEN1 located at 17q12 were found to be correlated with the overall survival of SOC patients (MED1: p = 0.028, GRB7: p = 0.0048, MIEN1: p = 0.0051), and the expression of the three driver genes in the ovarian cell line IOSE80 and EOC cell lines SKOV3 and A2780 was confirmed by western blot and cell immunohistochemistry.

Molecular characteristics of gastric cancer with ERBB2 amplification

Gastric cancer is a prevalent malignancy with a high degree of heterogeneity, which has led to a poor therapeutic response. Though there are numerous HER2-targeted medicines for HER2+ gastric cancer, many trials have not indicated an improvement in overall survival. Here 29 ERBB2 amplification (ERBB2-Amp) type gastric cancer samples with WES and RNA-seq data were selected for investigation, which copy-number aberration (CNA) was +2. Initially, the somatic mutation and copy number variant (CNV) of them, which might cause resistance to HER2-targeted therapies, were systematically investigated evaluated, as well as their mutation signatures. Moreover, 37 modules were identified using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), including the blue module related to DFS status and lightcyan module correlated with ARHGAP26_ARHGAP6_CLDN18 rearrangement. In addition, focal adhesion and ECM-receptor interaction pathways were considerably enriched in the turquoise module with ERBB2 gene. ExportNetworkToCytoscape determined that MIEN1 and GRB7 are tightly connected to ERBB2., Finally, 14 single-cell intestinal gastric cancer samples were investigated, and it was shown that the TFAP2A transcription factor regulon was highly expressed in ERBB2high group, as was the EMT score. Overall, our data provide comprehensive molecular characteristics of ERBB2-Amp type gastric cancer, which offers additional information to improve HER2-targeted gastric cancer treatment.

The novel circular RNA HIPK3 accelerates the proliferation and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by sponging the micro RNA-124 or micro RNA-506/pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 2 axis

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been confirmed to be associated with the progression of various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the role and mechanism of circHIPK3 in HCC are still unclear. To investigate its function, circHIPK3 expression was first determined by RT–qPCR in HCC tissues or cells. Functionally, cell proliferation and invasion were investigated by CCK-8, EdU, or Transwell assays. In terms of understanding the mechanism, the interaction of the circRNA HIPK3/micro RNA 124 (miRNA 124) or micro RNA 506 (miRNA506) /PDK2 regulatory loop was verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. In addition, a xenograft tumor model was established to confirm the impact of circHIPK3 on the growth of HCC cells in vivo. We found that circHIPK3 was upregulated in HCC patients and associated with clinical characteristics, while miR-124 and miR-506 were downregulated in HCC patients. Additionally, we proved that knock down of circHIPK3 remarkably suppressed the proliferation and invasion of HCC cells. Mechanistically, circHIPK3 directly bound to miR-124 or miR-506 and inhibited their expression, and PDK2 was a target gene of miR-124 or miR-506. Moreover, circHIPK3 overexpression reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-124 or miR-506 on HCC progression. miR-124 or miR-506 could also suppress tumorigenesis of HCC cells by PDK2. Furthermore, in vivo evidence confirmed that knock down of circHIPK3 inhibited tumor formation. We suggest that circHIPK3 can accelerate the proliferation and invasion of HCC cells by sponging miR-124 or miR-506 to upregulate PDK2, which is the underlying mechanism of circHIPK3-induced HCC progression.