Long non-coding RNA 1308 promotes cell invasion by regulating the miR-124/ADAM 15 axis in non-small-cell lung cancer cells

From carcinogenesis to therapeutic avenues: lncRNAs and mTOR crosstalk in lung cancer

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to have a crucial function in the modulation of the activity of genes, impacting a variety of homeostatic processes involving growth, survival, movement, and genomic consistency. Certain lncRNAs' aberrant expression has been linked to carcinogenesis, tumor growth, and therapeutic resistance. They are beneficial for the management of malignancies since they can function as cancer-causing or cancer-suppressing genes and behave as screening or prognosis indicators. The modulation of the tumor microenvironment, metabolic modification, and spread have all been linked to lncRNAs in lung cancer. Recent research has indicated that lncRNAs may interact with various mTOR signalling systems to control expression in lung cancer. Furthermore, the route can affect how lncRNAs are expressed. Emphasizing the function of lncRNAs as crucial participants in the mTOR pathway, the current review intends to examine the interactions between the mTOR cascade and the advancement of lung cancer. The article will shed light on the roles and processes of a few lncRNAs associated with the development of lung cancer, as well as their therapeutic prospects.

miR-124 as a Liquid Biopsy Prognostic Biomarker in Small Extracellular Vesicles from NSCLC Patients

Despite advances in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) research, this is still the most common cancer type that has been diagnosed up to date. microRNAs have emerged as useful clinical biomarkers in both tissue and liquid biopsy. However, there are no reliable predictive biomarkers for clinical use. We evaluated the preclinical use of seven candidate miRNAs previously identified by our group. We collected a total of 120 prospective samples from 88 NSCLC patients. miRNA levels were analyzed via qRT-PCR from tissue and blood samples. miR-124 gene target prediction was performed using RNA sequencing data from our group and interrogating data from 2952 NSCLC patients from two public databases. We found higher levels of all seven miRNAs in tissue compared to plasma samples, except for miR-124. Our findings indicate that levels of miR-124, both free-circulating and within exosomes, are increased throughout the progression of the disease, suggesting its potential as a marker of disease progression in both advanced and early stages. Our bioinformatics approach identified KPNA4 and SPOCK1 as potential miR-124 targets in NSCLC. miR-124 levels can be used to identify early-stage NSCLC patients at higher risk of relapse.

MicroRNA (miR)-124: A Promising Therapeutic Gateway for Oncology

MicroRNA (miR) are a class of small non-coding RNA that are involved in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Altered expression of miR has been associated with several pathological conditions. MicroRNA-124 (miR-124) is an abundantly expressed miR in the brain as well as the thymus, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and peripheral blood mono-nuclear cells. It plays a key role in the regulation of the host immune system. Emerging studies show that dysregulated expression of miR-124 is a hallmark in several cancer types and it has been attributed to the progression of these malignancies. In this review, we present a comprehensive summary of the role of miR-124 as a promising therapeutic gateway in oncology.

Long non-coding RNAs: an overview on miRNA sponging and its co-regulation in lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most devastating cause of death among all cancers worldwide, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80% of all the lung cancer cases. Beyond common genetic research and epigenomic studies, the extraordinary investigations of non-coding RNAs have provided insights into the molecular basis of cancer. Existing evidence from various cancer models highlights that the regulation of non-coding RNAs is crucial and that their deregulation may be a common reason for the development and progression of cancer, and competition of cancer therapeutics. Non-coding RNAs, such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), are increasingly recognized as potential cancer biomarkers for early detection and application of therapeutic strategies. The miRNAs have gained importance as master regulators of target mRNAs by negatively regulating their expression. The lncRNAs function as both tumor suppressors and oncogenes, and also compete with miRNAs that influence the translational inhibition processes. This review addresses the role of lncRNAs in lung cancer development, highlights their mechanisms of action, and provides an overview of the impact of lncRNAs on lung cancer survival and progression via miRNA sponging. The improved understanding of lung cancer mechanisms has opened opportunities to analyze molecular markers and their potential therapeutics.

Regulation of the Key Epithelial Cancer Suppressor miR-124 Function by Competing Endogenous RNAs

A decrease in the miR-124 expression was observed in various epithelial cancers. Like a classical suppressor, miR-124 can inhibit the translation of multiple oncogenic proteins. Epigenetic mechanisms play a significant role in the regulation of miR-124 expression and involve hypermethylation of the MIR-124-1/-2/-3 genes and the effects of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) according to the model of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). More than 40 interactomes (lncRNA/miR-124/mRNA) based on competition between lncRNAs and mRNAs for miR-124 binding have been identified in various epithelial cancers. LncRNAs MALAT1, NEAT1, HOXA11-AS, and XIST are the most represented in these axes. Fourteen axes (e.g., SND1-IT1/miR-124/COL4A1) are involved in EMT and/or metastasis. Moreover, eight axes (e.g., OIP5-AS1/miR-124-5p/IDH2) are involved in key pathways, such as Wnt/b-catenin, E2F1, TGF-β, SMAD, ERK/MAPK, HIF-1α, Notch, PI3K/Akt signaling, and cancer cell stemness. Additionally, 15 axes impaired patient survival and three axes reduced chemo- or radiosensitivity. To date, 14 cases of miR-124 regulation by circRNAs have been identified. Half of them involve circHIPK3, which belongs to the exonic ecircRNAs and stimulates cell proliferation, EMT, autophagy, angiogenesis, and multidrug resistance. Thus, miR-124 and its interacting partners may be considered promising targets for cancer therapy.

Relationship Between Low Expressions of tRNA-Derived Fragments with Metastatic Behavior of Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignant tumors and highly heterogeneous diseases. More recently, RNA expression profiles have been used as prognostic cancer markers. In this regard, the expression of small non-coding RNAs like tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) in tumor tissue has potential diagnostic values in metastatic cancer.

METHOD

Sixty postoperative CRC tissue samples, consisting of 30 cancers and 30 adjacent normal tissues, were collected from cancer patients. We evaluated MINTbase database to select tRNA-derived fragments. The expression levels of miR-1280, miR1308, tRNA-Val^AAC/CAC, and tRNA-Asp^GTC were measured by TaqMan quantitative reverse transcription PCR technology. Also, we have evaluated the correlation between the levels of tRFs gene expression and clinicopathological of CRC disease.

RESULT

The three tRFs derived from tRF/miR-1280, tRNA-Val^AAC/CAC, and tRNA-Asp^GTC downregulated in tumor tissues (all, p < 0.0001). These tRFs have lower expression in stage IV in comparison with stage III. The tRFs derived from tRNA-Val^AAC (p = 0.005) and tRNA-Asp^GTC (p = 0.034) showed the decreased expression in CRC patients with distant metastasis.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated that low expression of tRF/miR-1280, tRNA-Val^AAC/CAC, and tRNA-Asp^GTC was significantly associated with metastatic stage and more aggressive tumor behavior of CRC disease. Our finding promising the potential of using tRFs as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis.

LncRNA GAS5 protects against TGF-β-induced renal fibrosis via the Smad3/miRNA-142-5p axis

Increasing evidence shows that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in kidney disease. In this study, we investigated the role of the lncRNA growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis. We found that GAS5 was markedly decreased in the fibrotic kidney of a unilateral ureteral obstructive nephropathy mouse model. In addition, GAS5 was expressed in mouse tubular epithelial cells (mTECs) and interstitial fibroblasts in normal renal tissue and was especially highly expressed in the cytoplasm. In vitro experiments showed that GAS5 was downregulated by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Overexpression of GAS5 blocked TGF-β1-induced collagen type I and fibronectin expression and vice versa. Mechanistic experiments revealed that Smad3 but not Smad2 drove the regulation of GAS5. More importantly, GAS5 interacted with miR-142-5p and was involved in the renoprotective effect by participating in the competing endogenous RNA network. Finally, we also found that knockdown of GAS5 promoted TGF-β1-induced mouse tubular epithelial cell apoptosis via the Smad3 pathway. Taken together, our results uncovered a lncRNA/miRNA competing endogenous RNA network-based mechanism that modulates extracellular matrix formation and cell apoptosis via the Smad3 pathway.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this work, we mainly discuss long noncoding RNA growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5), acting in a renoprotective role via the Smad3/miRNA-142-5p axis, that modulates extracellular matrix formation and cell apoptosis. Overexpression of GAS5 effectively blocked renal fibrosis in vitro. This study reveals that GAS5 may represent as a novel and precision therapeutic target for alleviating renal fibrosis.

Competing endogenous RNAs in lung cancer

Competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) containing microRNA response elements can competitively interact with microRNA via miRNA response elements, which can combine non-coding RNAs with protein-coding RNAs through complex ceRNA networks. CeRNAs include non-coding RNAs (long non-coding RNAs, circular RNAs, and transcribed pseudogenes) and protein-coding RNAs (mRNAs). Molecular interactions in ceRNA networks can coordinate many biological processes; however, they may also lead to ceRNA network imbalance and thus contribute to cancer occurrence when disturbed. Recent studies indicate that many dysregulated RNAs derived from lung cancer may function as ceRNAs to regulate multitudinous biological functions for lung cancer, including tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, growth, invasion, migration, and metastasis. This study therefore reviewed the research progress in the field of non-coding and protein-coding RNAs as ceRNAs in lung cancer, and highlighted validated ceRNAs involved in biological lung cancer functions. Furthermore, the roles of ceRNAs as novel prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers were also discussed. Interpreting the involvement of ceRNAs networks in lung cancer will provide new insight into cancer pathogenesis and treatment strategies.

Transmembrane protein ADAM29 facilitates cell proliferation, invasion and migration in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Abnormal expression of ADAM29 has been frequently reported in several cancers, however, its role in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) has not evaluated in detail. Herein, we attempt to determine the biological role and the action mechanism of ADAM29 in ccRCC. Bioinformatics analysis based on the ccRCC RNA-Seq dataset from TCGA database revealed that ADAM29 was up-expressed in ccRCC tissues by comparison with normal tissues. And a significant increase of ADAM29 expression was also observed in 3 ccRCC cell lines (UT33A, Caki-1, and786-O) in comparison with normal cell line. Besides, high level of ADAM29 was found to be connected with the poor prognosis and could be considered as an independent prognosticator for patients with ccRCC. Furthermore, functional experiments in vitro demonstrated that ADAM29 promoted the growth, invasion and migration of ccRCC cells. Moreover, Western blot assays indicated that ADAM29 was positively correlated with the level of proliferation-related proteins Cyclin D1 and PCNA and motion-related proteins MMP9 and Snail. Our data indicate that ADAM29 acts as an oncogene that increases tumour cells proliferation, invasion and migration partly by regulating the expression of Cyclin D1/PCNA/MMP9/Snail, suggesting that ADAM29 may become a prognosticator and therapeutic candidate for ccRCC.

Long non-coding RNA CASC2 enhances irradiation-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress in NSCLC cells through PERK signaling

Radiotherapy is instrumental in the treatment of inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Studies have revealed that radiotherapy induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which consequently induces apoptosis and sensitization of cancer cells. A recent study has revealed that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) CASC2 is negatively correlated with the malignancy of NSCLC cells. The present study investigated the effects and molecular mechanisms of CASC2 on radiosensitivity and ER stress in NSCLC cells. The overexpression of CASC2 markedly decreased cell survival and increased apoptosis, expression of PERK, phosphorylated-eIF2α and CHOP in irradiated human NSCLC cells, whereas knocking down PERK reversed these effects. Moreover, CASC2 considerably promoted the stability of PERK mRNA, but had no effect on the activity of PERK gene promoter in irradiated NSCLC cells. Strikingly, CASC2 exhibited no apparent effect on non-irradiated NSCLC cells. This study demonstrated that lncRNA CASC2 increases the stability of PERK mRNA, which consequently triggers the PERK/eIF2α/CHOP ER stress pathway and promotes radiosensitivity or apoptosis in irradiated NSCLC cells. Results of the present study suggest that CASC2 can act as an effective therapeutic target to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy in the treatment of NSCLC.

MicroRNA-574-3p inhibits the malignant behavior of liver cancer cells by targeting ADAM28

Liver cancer is one of the most common and aggressive tumors, and usually leads to a poor clinical outcome. Increasing evidence has demonstrated the important functions of microRNAs (miRs) in tumor progression. miR-574-3p has been reported as a tumor suppressor and potential therapeutic target in various types of cancer. However, the underlying mechanism of the effects of miR-574-3p in liver cancer remains unknown. In the present study, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was performed to detect miR-574-3p expression in liver cancer tissues, and the influence of miR-574-3p on cell growth was evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, and cell migration and flow cytometry analyses. The present study revealed that miR-574-3p expression was downregulated in liver cancer tissues and cell lines. miR-574-3p overexpression, achieved by transfecting miR-574-3p mimics into liver cancer cells, reduced cell proliferation and migration, and promoted cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, ADAM metallopeptidase domain 28 (ADAM28) was identified as a miR-574-3p target via binding to the 3'-untranslated region of the ADAM28 mRNA. Gain-of-function of miR-574-3p downregulated the expression levels of ADAM28 in liver cancer cells. Additionally, overexpression of ADAM28 significantly attenuated the suppressive effect of miR-574-3p on the growth of liver cancer cells. The present results provide novel insights into the function of the miR-574-3p/ADAM28 signaling pathway in liver cancer.

Long noncoding RNA CBR3 antisense RNA 1 promotes the aggressive phenotypes of non‑small‑cell lung cancer by sponging microRNA‑509‑3p and competitively upregulating HDAC9 expression

Long noncoding RNA CBR3 antisense RNA 1 (CBR3‑AS1) plays significant roles in the initiation and progression of osteosarcoma. The aim of the present study was to investigate the involvement of CBR3‑AS1 in the development of non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR was performed to detect CBR3‑AS1 expression in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. The impacts of CBR3‑AS1 on cellular proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasiveness in vitro, and tumor growth in vivo, were investigated using the Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay, flow cytometry, Transwell migration and invasion assays, and tumor xenograft model‑based analysis, respectively. The results indicated that CBR3‑AS1 was markedly upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. High CBR3‑AS1 expression was correlated with larger tumor size, advanced TNM stage, increased incidence of lymph node metastasis and shorter overall survival times in patients with NSCLC. Furthermore, CBR3‑AS1‑knockdown notably suppressed cellular proliferation, migration and invasiveness in vitro, and also promoted apoptosis and suppressed tumorigenicity in vivo. Mechanistic investigation demonstrated that CBR3‑AS1 functions as a competing endogenous RNA for microRNA‑509‑3p (miR‑509‑3p) in NSCLC cells. Furthermore, miR‑509‑3p exerted tumor‑suppressive effects in NSCLC, and histone deacetylase 9 (HDAC9) was identified as a direct target of miR‑509‑3p. HDAC9 expression was suppressed by CBR3‑AS1 depletion, which was abolished by miR‑509‑3p inhibition. Further rescue experiments revealed that increasing the output of the miR‑509‑3p/HDAC9 axis counteracted the CBR3‑AS1 depletion‑induced inhibitory effects on NSCLC cells. Collectively, the results of the present study indicate that the CBR3‑AS1/miR‑509‑3p/HDAC9 pathway exerts tumor‑promoting actions in NSCLC oncogenesis and progression, suggesting that this pathway is an effective target for the management of NSCLC.

LncRNAs in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is associated with a high mortality, with around 1.8 million deaths worldwide in 2018. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for around 85% of cases and, despite improvement in the management of NSCLC, most patients are diagnosed at advanced stage and the five-year survival remains around 15%. This highlights a need to identify novel ways to treat the disease to reduce the burden of NSCLC. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-coding RNA molecules longer than 200 nucleotides in length which play important roles in gene expression and signaling pathways. Recently, lncRNAs were implicated in cancer, where their expression is dysregulated resulting in aberrant functions. LncRNAs were shown to function as both tumor suppressors and oncogenes in a variety of cancer types. Although there are a few well characterized lncRNAs in NSCLC, many lncRNAs remain un-characterized and their mechanisms of action largely unknown. LncRNAs have success as therapies in neurodegenerative diseases, and having a detailed understanding of their function in NSCLC may guide novel therapeutic approaches and strategies. This review discusses the role of lncRNAs in NSCLC tumorigenesis, highlighting their mechanisms of action and their clinical potential.

The long non‑coding RNA CASC7 inhibits growth and invasion of non‑small cell lung cancer cells through phosphatase and tensin homolog upregulation via sequestration of miR‑92a

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated the crucial roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in various human cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, to the best of our knowledge, the role of the lncRNA cancer susceptibility candidate 7 (CASC7) in NSCLC has not been clearly determined. The aim of the present study was to investigate the involvement of CASC7 in NSCLC. Marked downregulation of CASC7 was observed in NSCLC tissues and cell lines, and this downregulation of CASC7 was closely associated with distant metastasis, lymph node involvement and poor overall survival in NSCLC patients. Furthermore, overexpression of CASC7 significantly suppressed the proliferation, invasion and migration of the NSCLC cells A549 and H358, and promoted cell apoptosis in vitro. In addition, CASC7 was shown to act as a competing endogenous RNA by sponging miR-92a, which was proven to be an oncogenic miRNA in our previous study. The expression of miR-92a was upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines, and was found to be inversely associated with CASC7 expression in NSCLC tissues. It was also demonstrated that CASC7 upregulated the expression of the tumor suppressor gene phosphatase and tensin homolog (a well-known target of miR-92a) by sequestration of miR-92a. Moreover, the tumor-suppressive effects of CASC7 were partly reversed by miR-92a overexpression in NSCLC cells. Collectively, the results of the present study indicated that CASC7 may act as a tumor-suppressive lncRNA that inhibits NSCLC progression by sponging miR-92a. These findings may improve our understanding of the potential mechanisms through which gain of CASC7 expression represses NSCLC progression.

Evaluation of the Role of hsa-mir-124 in Predicting Clinical Outcome in Breast Invasive Carcinoma Based on Bioinformatics Analysis

Purpose

Breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) is the most common malignant tumor. MiR-124 plays a tumor-suppressive role in human cancer. However, the clinical significance of miR-124 in BRCA remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of hsa-mir-124 expression and the clinicopathological characteristics in BRCA using database analysis.

Methods

The clinical data and expression profiles of hsa-mir-124 were obtained from the cancer genome atlas for BRCA (TCGA_BRCA). Then, the prognostic value of hsa-mir-124 in BRCA was investigated using the Cox Regression test, and the association of hsa-mir-124 and pathology TNM stages and pathologic stages were measured by the Kruskal–Wallis test and Wilcox. test. In addition, the association of hsa-mir-124 and tumor molecular phenotypes was performed using the Chi-Square test.

Results

We found that the overall survival of patients with high expression of hsa-mir-124-1 and hsa-mir-124-2 was better than that of patients with low expression of hsa-mir-124-1 and hsa-mir-124-2. And the expression of hsa-mir-124-1, hsa-mir-124-2, and hsa-mir-124-3 was mainly enriched in T1/T2 stages, NO/N1 stages, and M0 stages. Then, the expression of hsa-mir-124-1, hsa-mir-124-2, and hsa-mir-124-3 was negatively associated with tumor lymph node metastasis. Moreover, the expression of hsa-mir-124 was associated with tumor molecular phenotype in breast invasive carcinoma.

Conclusion

Our findings indicated that hsa-mir-124 expressions were associated with overall survival, TNM stages, pathologic characteristics, and tumor molecular phenotype in BRCA via TCGA_BRCA database, providing a new biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for BRCA patients.

The USP21/YY1/SNHG16 axis contributes to tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion of non-small-cell lung cancer

Deubiquitinases (DUBs) and noncoding RNAs have been the subjects of recent extensive studies regarding their roles in lung cancer, but the mechanisms involved are largely unknown. In our study, we used The Cancer Genome Atlas data set and bioinformatics analyses and identified USP21, a DUB, as a potential contributor to oncogenesis in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We further demonstrated that USP21 was highly expressed in NSCLCs. We then conducted a series of in vitro and in vivo assays to explore the effect of USP21 on NSCLC progression and the underlying mechanism involved. USP21 promoted NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and in vivo tumor growth by stabilizing a well-known oncogene, Yin Yang-1 (YY1), via mediating its deubiquitination. Furthermore, YY1 transcriptionally regulates the expression of SNHG16. Moreover, StarBase bioinformatics analyses predicted that miR-4500 targets SNHG16 and USP21. A series of in vitro experiments indicated that SNHG16 increased the expression of USP21 through miR-4500. In summary, the USP21/YY1/SNHG16 axis plays a role in promoting the progression of NSCLC. Therefore, the USP21/YY1/SNHG16/miR-4500 axis may be a potential therapeutic target in NSCLC treatment.

Therapies targeting a molecular feedback loop involved in tumor growth may prove valuable for treating non-small-cell lung cancer. Fangbao Ding, Jianbing Huang, and co-workers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in Shanghai, China, have shown how an enzyme called USP21 promotes cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth in non-small-cell lung cancer. The team took cancerous and non-cancerous lung tissue samples from 42 patients, and analyzed the expression and behavior of USP21. The enzyme was highly expressed in cancerous tissues, where it stabilized a known gene with the potential to cause cancer called YY1. This gene also regulated the expression of a particular RNA molecule, which in turn worked to increase levels of USP21. This cyclical process encouraged the proliferation, migration and invasion of non-small-cell lung cancer cells, and may provide a future therapeutic target.

Long noncoding RNA DLX6-AS1 promotes neuroblastoma progression by regulating miR-107/BDNF pathway

Background

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play essential roles in tumor progression. However, the functions and targets of lncRNAs in neuroblastoma (NB) progression still remain to be determined. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of lncRNA DLX6 antisense RNA 1 (DLX6-AS1) on NB and the underlying mechanism involved.

Methods

Through mining of public microarray datasets, we identify aberrantly expressed lncRNAs in NB. The gene expression levels were determined by quantitative real-time PCR, and protein expression levels were determined by western blot assay. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, colony formation assay, wound-healing assay, transwell invasion assays and flow cytometry analysis were utilized to examine cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the interaction between DLX6-AS1and its potential targets. Tumor xenograft assay was used to verify the role of DLX6-AS1 in NB in vivo.

Results

We identified DLX6-AS1 was upregulated in NB by using a public microarray dataset. The expression of DLX6-AS1 was increased in NB tissues and derived cell lines, and high expression of DLX6-AS1 was positively correlated with advanced TNM stage and poor differentiation. Knockdown of DLX6-AS1 induced neuronal differentiation, apoptosis and inhibited the growth, invasion, and metastasis of NB cells in vitro and impaired tumor growth in vivo. MiR-107 was the downstream target of DLX6-AS1. MiR-107 was found to target brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which is an oncogene in NB. Knockdown of miR-107 or overexpression of BDNF reversed the suppression of NB progression caused by DLX6-AS1 silence.

Conclusion

Overall, our finding supports that DLX6-AS1 promotes NB progression by regulating miR-107/BDNF pathway, acting as a novel therapeutic target for NB.

MicroRNA-124: An emerging therapeutic target in cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding single‐stranded RNAs, approximately 20‐24 nucleotides in length, known as powerful posttranscriptional regulators. miRNAs play important regulatory roles in cellular processes by changing messenger RNA expression and are widely involved in human diseases, including tumors. It has been reported in the literature that miRNAs have a precise role in cell proliferation, programmed cell death, differentiation, and expression of coding genes. MicroRNA‐124 (miR‐124) has reduced exparession in various human neoplasms and is believed to be related to the occurrence, development, and prognosis of malignant tumors. In our review, we focus on the specific molecular functions of miR‐124 and the downstream gene targets in major cancers, which provide preclinical evidence for the treatment of human cancer. Although some obstacles exist, miR‐124 is still attracting intensive research focus as a promising and effective anticancer weapon.

LncRNA BLACAT1 regulates VASP expression via binding to miR-605-3p and promotes giloma development

Glioma, an aggressive tumor in brain, presents a very poor prognosis. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that dysfunction of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) is closely related to giloma development. However, the roles of lncRNA BLACAT1 in glioma are not unknown. In this study, we utilized in vitro and in vivo experiments to explore the effects of BLACAT1 on glioma cells. BLACAT1 levels were increased in glioma tissues. Upregulation of BLACAT1 showed poor prognosis. Silencing of BLACAT1 markedly repressed glioma proliferation, migration, and invasion, and suppressed glioma growth in vivo. We also illustrated that BLACAT1 worked as the sponge for miR-605-3p and promoted VASP expression. miR-605-3p was downregulated in glioma and repressed glioma proliferation, migration, and invasion. And VASP is upregulated and contributed to glioma progression. Summarily, this study highlights the important roles of BLACAT1/miR-605-3p/VASP axis in glioma progression.

MiR-4319 hinders YAP expression to restrain non-small cell lung cancer growth through regulation of LIN28-mediated RFX5 stability

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is demonstrated as one of the most common malignant tumors and accounts for about 25% of cancer-related deaths each year. Extensive bodies of studies have manifested that microRNAs (miRNAs) play pivotal roles in the development of numerous malignant tumors by involving in modulation of cell biological processes. Although miR-4319 has been validated to execute tumor suppressor properties in triple-negative breast cancer, explorations on the function and latent mechanism of miR-4319 participating in NSCLC are still unclear. In this study, we proved that miR-4319 acted as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC progression via restraining cell proliferation and migration as well as boosting apoptosis. Further, miR-4319 bound with LIN28 and negatively regulated the expression of LIN28. Our data unveiled that LIN28 promoted RFX5 mRNA stability and miR-4319 led to the destabilization of RFX5 by targeting LIN28. In addition, RFX5 motivated the transcription of YAP and enhanced expression of YAP abolished the miR-4319 upregulation-mediated suppressive regulation of NSCLC tumorigenesis. In conclusion, miR-4319 dampened YAP expression to mitigate the tumorigenesis of NSCLC through inhibiting LIN28-mediated RFX5 stability, which offered an insight into the molecular mechanism underlying miR-4319 in NSCLC development.