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Yue Y, Tao J, An D, Shi L. Three molecular subtypes and a five-gene signature for hepatocellular carcinoma based on m7G-related classification. J Gene Med 2024; 26:e3611. [PMID: 37847055 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current research investigated the heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on the expression of N7-methylguanosine (m7G)-related genes as a classification model and developed a risk model predictive of HCC prognosis, key pathological behaviors and molecular events of HCC. METHODS The RNA sequencing data of HCC were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-live cancer (LIHC) database, hepatocellular carcinoman database (HCCDB) and Gene Expression Omnibus database, respectively. According to the expression level of 29 m7G-related genes, a consensus clustering analysis was conducted. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis and COX regression algorithm were applied to create a risk prediction model based on normalized expression of five characteristic genes weighted by coefficients. Tumor microenvironment (TME) analysis was performed using the MCP-Counter, TIMER, CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE algorithms. The Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion algorithm was applied to assess the responses to immunotherapy in different clusters and risk groups. In addition, patient sensitivity to common chemotherapeutic drugs was determined by the biochemical half-maximal inhibitory concentration using the R package pRRophetic. RESULTS Three molecular subtypes of HCC were defined based on the expression level of m7G-associated genes, each of which had its specific survival rate, genomic variation status, TME status and immunotherapy response. In addition, drug sensitivity analysis showed that the C1 subtype was more sensitive to a number of conventional oncolytic drugs (including paclitaxel, imatinib, CGP-082996, pyrimethamine, salubrinal and vinorelbine). The current five-gene risk prediction model accurately predicted HCC prognosis and revealed the degree of somatic mutations, immune microenvironment status and specific biological events. CONCLUSION In this study, three heterogeneous molecular subtypes of HCC were defined based on m7G-related genes as a classification model, and a five-gene risk prediction model was created for predicting HCC prognosis, providing a potential assessment tool for understanding the genomic variation, immune microenvironment status and key pathological mechanisms during HCC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yue
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jie Tao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dan An
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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Huang H, Liang X, Wu W, Yuan T, Chen Z, Wang L, Wu Z, Zhang T, Yang K, Wen K. FOXP3-regulated lncRNA NONHSAT136151 promotes colorectal cancer progression by disrupting QKI interaction with target mRNAs. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18068. [PMID: 38041531 PMCID: PMC10826441 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC), has repeatedly been demonstrated. However, very few lncRNAs have been well annotated functionally. Our study identified a novel lncRNA upregulated in CRC, NONHSAT136151, which was correlated with clinical progression. In functional assays, NONHSAT136151 significantly enhanced CRC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Mechanistically, NONHSAT136151 interacted with RNA-binding protein (RBP) QKI (Quaking) to interfere with QKI binding to target mRNAs and regulate their expression. As well, FOXP3 may be causally related to the dysregulation of NONHSAT136151 in CRC cells through its transcriptional activity. In conclusion, our findings identified a novel lncRNA regulated by FOXP3 participates in CRC progression through interacting with QKI, indicating a novel lncRNA-RBP interaction mechanism is involved in CRC pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Handong Huang
- Soochow University Medical CollegeSuzhouJiangsuChina
- Department of General SurgeryAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiGuizhouChina
| | - Xiaoxiang Liang
- Department of General SurgeryAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiGuizhouChina
| | - Weizheng Wu
- Department of General SurgeryAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiGuizhouChina
| | - Tao Yuan
- Department of General SurgeryAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiGuizhouChina
| | - Zhengquan Chen
- Department of General SurgeryAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiGuizhouChina
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of General SurgeryAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiGuizhouChina
| | - Zhenyu Wu
- Department of General SurgeryAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiGuizhouChina
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of General SurgeryAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiGuizhouChina
| | - Kai Yang
- Department of General SurgeryAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiGuizhouChina
| | - Kunming Wen
- Soochow University Medical CollegeSuzhouJiangsuChina
- Department of General SurgeryAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiGuizhouChina
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Abstract
As a gastrointestinal malignancy, colorectal cancer (CRC) is a main cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Mex-3 RNA-binding family member A (MEX3A) is upregulated in multiple types of tumors and plays a critical role in tumor proliferation and metastasis. However, the function of MEX3A in CRC angiogenesis has not been fully understood. Hence, the aim of this study was to explore the role of MEX3A in CRC angiogenesis and investigate its underlying mechanisms. MEX3A expression in CRC was first investigated by bioinformatics means and then measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot. CCK-8 assay was employed to test cell viability. Angiogenesis assay was used to assess angiogenesis. The protein levels of VEGF, FGF and SDF-1 were evaluated using Western blot. The expression levels of MYC, HK2 and PGK1 were investigated by qRT-PCR. Extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) were determined by Seahorse XP 96. The levels of pyruvate, lactate, citric acid and malate were measured by corresponding kits. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated high MEX3A expression in CRC tissues and MEX3A enrichment in glycolysis and angiogenesis pathways. Cell assays showed high MEX3A expression in CRC cells and its promoting effects in CRC cell proliferation and glycolysis as well as angiogenesis. Rescue experiment confirmed that glycolysis inhibitor 2-DG could offset the promoting effects of MEX3A on the proliferation, angiogenesis and glycolysis of CRC cells. In conclusion, MEX3A could facilitate CRC angiogenesis by activating the glycolytic pathway, suggesting that MEX3A may be a novel therapeutic target for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Lu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, China
| | - Tienan Bi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, China
| | - Shenkang Zhou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, China
| | - Minhui Guo
- Department of Gynecology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, China
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Chen W, Hu L, Lu X, Wang X, Zhao C, Guo C, Li X, Ding Y, Zhao H, Tong D, Wang L, Huang C. The RNA binding protein MEX3A promotes tumor progression of breast cancer by post-transcriptional regulation of IGFBP4. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2023; 201:353-366. [PMID: 37433992 PMCID: PMC10460732 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-023-07028-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent malignant tumor in women worldwide with exceptionally high morbidity. The RNA-binding protein MEX3A plays a crucial role in genesis and progression of multiple cancers. We attempted to explore its clinicopathological and functional significance in BC in which MEX3A is expressed. METHODS The expression of MEX3A detected by RT-qPCR and correlated the results with clinicopathological variables in 53 BC patients. MEX3A and IGFBP4 profile data of BC patients were downloaded from TCGA and GEO database. Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis was used to estimate the survival rate of BC patients. Western Blot, CCK-8, EdU, colony formation and flow cytometry were performed to investigate the role of MEX3A and IGFBP4 in BC cell proliferation, invasion and cell cycle in vitro. A subcutaneous tumor mouse model was constructed to analyze in vivo growth of BC cells after MEX3A knockdown. The interactions among MEX3A and IGFBP4 were measured by RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation. RESULTS The expression of MEX3A was upregulated in BC tissues compared to adjacent tissues and high expression of MEX3A was associated with poor prognosis. Subsequent in vitro studies demonstrated that MEX3A knockdown inhibited BC cells proliferation and migration, as well as xenograft tumor growth in vivo. The expression of IGFBP4 was significantly negatively correlated with MEX3A in BC tissues. Mechanistic investigation showed that MEX3A binds to IGFBP4 mRNA in BC cells, decreasing IGFBP4 mRNA levels, which further activated the PI3K/AKT and other downstream signaling pathways implicated cell cycle progression and cell migration. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that MEX3A plays a prominent oncogenic role in BC tumorigenesis and progression by targeting IGFBP4 mRNA and activating PI3K/AKT signaling, which can be used as a novel therapeutic target for BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhu Chen
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, No. 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shanxi, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Liqiang Hu
- Cancer Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, 310012, China
| | - Xuemei Lu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- Biomedical Experimental Center of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Changan Zhao
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Chen Guo
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, No. 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shanxi, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Yuqin Ding
- Department of Breast Surgery, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310005, China
| | - Hongguang Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310005, China
| | - Dongdong Tong
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, No. 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Lifang Wang
- College of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Hangzhou Medical College, No. 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Chen Huang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, No. 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shanxi, China.
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, China.
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
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Ghafouri-Fard S, Khoshbakht T, Hussen BM, Dong P, Gassler N, Taheri M, Baniahmad A, Dilmaghani NA. A review on the role of cyclin dependent kinases in cancers. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:325. [PMID: 36266723 PMCID: PMC9583502 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02747-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) class of serine/threonine kinases has crucial roles in the regulation of cell cycle transition and is mainly involved in the pathogenesis of cancers. The expression of CDKs is controlled by a complex regulatory network comprised of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, which are dysregulated during the progression of cancer. The abnormal activation of CDKs results in uncontrolled cancer cell proliferation and the induction of cancer stem cell characteristics. The levels of CDKs can be utilized to predict the prognosis and treatment response of cancer patients, and further understanding of the function and underlying mechanisms of CDKs in human tumors would pave the way for future cancer therapies that effectively target CDKs. Defects in the regulation of cell cycle and mutations in the genes coding cell-cycle regulatory proteins lead to unrestrained proliferation of cells leading to formation of tumors. A number of treatment modalities have been designed to combat dysregulation of cell cycle through affecting expression or activity of CDKs. However, effective application of these methods in the clinical settings requires recognition of the role of CDKs in the progression of each type of cancer, their partners, their interactions with signaling pathways and the effects of suppression of these kinases on malignant features. Thus, we designed this literature search to summarize these findings at cellular level, as well as in vivo and clinical levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tayyebeh Khoshbakht
- Men's Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bashdar Mahmud Hussen
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.,Center of Research and Strategic Studies, Lebanese French University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Peixin Dong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Nikolaus Gassler
- Section of Pathology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Mohammad Taheri
- Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
| | - Aria Baniahmad
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
| | - Nader Akbari Dilmaghani
- Skull Base Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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