The Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Epigenetic Dysregulation in Glioblastoma Development

Ubiquitination of p21 by E3 ligase RNF135 promotes the proliferation of human glioblastoma cells

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly heterogeneous tumor of the central nervous system with a high mortality rate. The upregulation of RING finger protein 135 (RNF135), an E3 ligase, has been observed in GBM, but the associated mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to identify the substrate of RNF135 and study its functions in GBM. Bioinformatics analyses were performed. In addition, RNF135 was overexpressed or knocked down in human U87 and U251 GBM cells, and the effect on cell proliferation was analyzed using Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays. Furthermore, the interaction of RNF135 with its potential substrate was analyzed using glutathione S-transferase, yeast two-hybrid, immunoprecipitation (IP), co-IP and immunoblotting assays. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that RNF135 serves as a marker of poor prognosis in GBM. The overexpression of RNF135 was demonstrated to promote the proliferation of GBM cells, while the knockdown of RNF135 inhibited GBM cell growth. In addition, the results of the interaction experiments indicate that RNF135 interacts with p21 and mediates the degradation of p21 by ubiquitination. The major site of RNF135-mediated p21 ubiquitination was identified as K163. Further experiments demonstrated that RNF135 promotes the proliferation of GBM cells mainly via p21. In summary, these findings suggest that RNF135 has potential as a therapeutic target for the treatment of GBM.

Exposome: Epigenetics and autoimmune diseases

Systemic autoimmune diseases are complex conditions characterized by an immune system dysregulation and an aberrant activation against self-antigens, leading to tissue and organ damage. Even though genetic predisposition plays a role, it cannot fully explain the onset of these diseases, highlighting the significant impact of non-heritable influences such as environment, hormones and infections. The exposome represents all those factors, ranging from chemical pollutants and dietary components to psychological stressors and infectious agents. Epigenetics, which studies changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence, is a crucial link between exposome and the development of autoimmune diseases. Key epigenetic mechanisms include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs. These epigenetic modifications could provide a potential piece of the puzzle in understanding systemic autoimmune diseases and their connection with the exposome. In this work we have collected the most important and recent evidence in epigenetic changes linked to systemic autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, ANCA-associated vasculitis, and rheumatoid arthritis), emphasizing the roles these changes may play in disease pathogenesis, their potential as diagnostic biomarkers and their prospective in the development of targeted therapies.

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Gene Therapy for Glioblastoma: A Scoping Review

This scoping review examines the use of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in glioblastoma (GBM), a predominant and aggressive brain tumor. Categorizing gene targets into distinct groups, this review explores their roles in cell cycle regulation, microenvironmental dynamics, interphase processes, and therapy resistance reduction. The complexity of CRISPR-Cas9 applications in GBM research is highlighted, providing unique insights into apoptosis, cell proliferation, and immune responses within the tumor microenvironment. The studies challenge conventional perspectives on specific genes, emphasizing the potential therapeutic implications of manipulating key molecular players in cell cycle dynamics. Exploring CRISPR/Cas9 gene therapy in GBMs yields significant insights into the regulation of cellular processes, spanning cell interphase, renewal, and migration. Researchers, by precisely targeting specific genes, uncover the molecular orchestration governing cell proliferation, growth, and differentiation during critical phases of the cell cycle. The findings underscore the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in unraveling the complex dynamics of the GBM microenvironment, offering promising avenues for targeted therapies to curb GBM growth. This review also outlines studies addressing therapy resistance in GBM, employing CRISPR/Cas9 to target genes associated with chemotherapy resistance, showcasing its transformative potential in effective GBM treatments.