Downregulation of lncRNA FGF12-AS2 suppresses the tumorigenesis of NSCLC via sponging miR-188-3p

Circ-NUP98 Promotes Lung Adenocarcinoma Development Through Regulating CBX1 by miR-188-3p

Lung cancer has a high morbidity and mortality among malignant tumors, and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the main type of lung cancer. In recent years, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been confirmed to play an important role in the generation and development of human cancer. However, the specific role and mechanism of circ-NUP98 in LUAD are still unclear and need to be further investigated. Circ-NUP98, microRNA-188-3p (miR-188-3p), and chromobox homolog 1 (CBX1) levels were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Cell-counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, flow cytometry, wound healing, and transwell assay were used to observe LUAD cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and cell-cycle progression. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were examined using special assay kits. CyclinD1, Bcl-2-related X protein (Bax), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) protein, and CBX1 protein levels were determined using Western blot. The interaction between miR-188-3p and circ-NUP98 or CBX1 was identified by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. In vivo efficacy of circ-NUP98 was evaluated in a xenograft tumor model. Besides, the expression of CBX1 and KI67 in the tumors was detected by immunohistochemical (IHC) assay. Circ-NUP98 and CBX1 expressions were upregulated in LUAD tissues and cells, and miR-188-3p was decreased. Downregulation of circ-NUP98 could inhibit the proliferation, migration, invasion, and oxidative stress, and promote apoptosis of LUAD cells. Mechanism experiments showed that circ-NUP98 acted as a sponge for miR-188-3p to increase CBX1 expression. Knockdown of circ-NUP98 could inhibit the growth of LUAD tumors in vivo. Circ-NUP98 might promote the malignant development of LUAD via the miR-188-3p/CBX1 axis, which might provide a potential new marker for early diagnosis of LUAD.

The mRNA stability of NCAPG2, a novel contributor to breast invasive carcinoma, is enhanced by the RNA-binding protein PCBP2

Non-SMC condensin II complex subunit G2 (NCAPG2) is one of the three non-SMC subunits in condensin II, which plays a vital role in regulating chromosome condensation and segregation. Although the tumor-promoting role of NCAPG2 has been reported in several solid malignancies, its function in breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) remains unknown. Data both from GEPIA and GSE36295 indicated that NCAPG2 mRNA expression was abnormally upregulated in cancer tissues, which was further verified in 40 paired BRCA and para-carcinoma samples. Kaplan-Meier Plotter further illustrated that BRCA patients with higher NCAPG2 expression have a poorer prognosis. Functional experiments carried out in two BRCA cell lines (MCF-7 and T-47D) showed that NCAPG2-silenced BRCA cells acquired less aggressive behavior - weakened growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Label-free proteomics quantified the protein expression patterns in MCF-7 cells, and the results revealed 684 differentially expressed proteins (|log2FC| > 1 and P < 0.05) downstream to NCAPG2. Interestingly, poly(C)-binding protein 2 (PCBP2), an RNA binding protein previously known to increase RNA stability of its target genes, was found to directly bind to and protect NCAPG2 mRNA from degradation-PCBP2 knockdown accelerated the degradation half-life time of NCAPG2 mRNA from approximately 8 h to 5 h. Taken together, our study indicates that NCAPG2 acts as a novel contributor to BRCA growth and metastasis under the regulation of PCBP2, providing insights into BRCA treatment.

Antitumor activity of miR-188-3p in gastric cancer is achieved by targeting CBL expression and inactivating the AKT/mTOR signaling

BACKGROUND

Altered miR-188-3p expression has been observed in various human cancers.

AIM

To investigate the miR-188-3p expression, its roles, and underlying molecular events in gastric cancer.

METHODS

Fifty gastric cancer and paired normal tissues were collected to analyze miR-188-3p and CBL expression. Normal and gastric cancer cells were used to manipulate miR-188-3p and CBL expression through different assays. The relationship between miR-188-3p and CBL was predicted bioinformatically and confirmed using a luciferase gene reporter assay. A Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to associate miR-188-3p or CBL expression with patient survival. A nude mouse tumor cell xenograft assay was used to confirm the in vitro data.

RESULTS

MiR-188-3p was found to be lower in the plasma of gastric cancer patients, tissues, and cell lines compared to their healthy counterparts. It was associated with overall survival of gastric cancer patients (P < 0.001), tumor differentiation (P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.033), tumor node metastasis stage (I/II vs III/IV, P = 0.024), and American Joint Committee on Cancer stage (I/II vs III/IV, P = 0.03). Transfection with miR-188-3p mimics reduced tumor cell growth and invasion while inducing apoptosis and autophagy. CBL was identified as a direct target of miR-188-3p, with its expression antagonizing the effects of miR-188-3p on gastric cancer (GC) cell proliferation by inducing tumor cell apoptosis and autophagy through the inactivation of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. The in vivo data confirmed antitumor activity via CBL downregulation in gastric cancer.

CONCLUSION

The current data provides ex vivo, in vitro, and in vivo evidence that miR-188-3p acts as a tumor suppressor gene or possesses antitumor activity in GC.

Knockdown of circ_0113656 assuages oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced vascular smooth muscle cell injury through the miR-188-3p/IGF2 pathway

Circular RNA (circRNA) is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (AS). The present work analyzed the RNA expression of circ_0113656, microRNA-188-3p (miR-188-3p), and insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), matrix metalloprotein 2 (MMP2), and IGF2 was detected by Western blotting. Cell viability, proliferation, invasion, and migration were analyzed using the cell counting kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, transwell invasion, and wound-healing assays, respectively. The interactions among circ_0113656, miR-188-3p, and IGF2 were identified by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. The results showed that circ_0113656 and IGF2 expression were significantly upregulated, while miR-188-3p was downregulated in the blood of AS patients and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-treated HVSMCs in comparison with controls. The ox-LDL treatment induced HVSMC proliferation, migration, and invasion accompanied by increases in PCNA and MMP2 expression; however, these effects were attenuated after circ_0113656 knockdown. Circ_0113656 acted as a miR-188-3p sponge and it regulated ox-LDL-induced HVSMC disorders by binding to miR-188-3p. Besides, the regulation of miR-188-3p in ox-LDL-induced HVSMC injury involved IGF2. Further, the depletion of circ_0113656 inhibited IGF2 expression by interacting with miR-188-3p. Thus, the circ_0113656/miR-188-3p/IGF2 axis may mediate ox-LDL-induced HVSMC disorders in AS, providing a new therapeutic strategy for AS.

NCAPG2 contributes to the progression of malignant melanoma through regulating proliferation and metastasis

Malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive cutaneous neoplasm with increasing incidence worldwide. Non-SMC condensin II complex subunit G2 (NCAPG2) exerts import biological function in the pathogenesis of several tumors. In this study, the functional roles of NCAPG2 knockdown in malignant melanoma were revealed in in vitro and in vivo experiments. In vitro study demonstrated that NCAPG2 depletion could inhibit proliferation and migration and promote apoptosis of malignant melanoma cells. Our in vivo date further confirmed that NCAPG2 knockdown attenuated tumor growth of malignant melanoma. Interestingly, NCAPG2 drove tumor development of malignant melanoma through activating the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). In conclusion, this study elaborated the tumor-promoting effects of NCAPG2 on malignant melanoma, and NCAPG2 may be a potential therapeutic target for malignant melanoma therapy.

LncRNA in tumorigenesis of non-small-cell lung cancer: From bench to bedside

Lung cancer has been one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide, and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for the majority of lung cancer morbidity, yet the pathogenesis of NSCLC has not been fully elucidated. Recently, long-chain non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has attracted widespread attention. LncRNA is a type of non-coding RNA whose transcript length exceeds 200 nucleotides. After constant research, academics updated their understanding of lncRNA, especially its role in the biological processes of cancer cells, including epigenetic regulation, cell proliferation, and cell differentiation. Notably, examination of lncRNAs could serve as potential hallmarks for clinicopathological features, long-term prognosis, and drug sensitivity. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the functions of lncRNA in NSCLC and innovate potential strategies against NSCLC based on lncRNA-related research. Herein, we reviewed the functions of lncRNA in the occurrence, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of NSCLC, which not only help promote a comprehensive view of lncRNA in NSCLC, but also shed light on the potential of lncRNA-based diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC.

Immune-related eight-lncRNA signature for improving prognosis prediction of lung adenocarcinoma

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the leading cause of cancer‐related deaths worldwide. Therefore, the identification of a novel prediction signature for predicting the prognosis risk and survival outcomes is urgently demanded.

Methods

We integrated a machine‐learning frame by combing the Cox regression and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression model to identify the LUAD‐related long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) survival biomarkers. Subsequently, the Spearman correlation test was employed to interrogate the relationships between lncRNA signature and tumor immunity and constructed the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network.

Results

Herein, we identified an eight‐lncRNA signature (PR‐lncRNA signature, NPSR1‐AS1, SATB2‐AS1, LINC01090, FGF12‐AS2, AC005256.1, MAFA‐AS1, BFSP2‐AS1, and CPC5‐AS1), which contributes to predicting LUAD patient's prognosis risk and survival outcomes. The PR‐lncRNA signature has also been confirmed as the robust signature in independent datasets. Further parsing of the LUAD tumor immune infiltration showed the PR‐lncRNAs were closely associated with the abundance of multiple immune cells infiltration and the expression of MHC molecules. Furthermore, by constructing the PR‐lncRNA–related ceRNA network, we interrogated more potential anti‐cancer therapy targets.

Conclusion

lncRNAs, as emerging cancer biomarkers, play an important role in a variety of cancer processes. Identification of PR‐lncRNA signatures allows us to better predict patient's survival outcomes and disease risk. Finally, the PR‐lncRNA signatures could help us to develop novel LUAD anti‐cancer therapeutic strategies.