The tumor suppressor gene RhoBTB1 is a novel target of miR-31 in human colon cancer

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma-derived exosomal MicroRNA-31 acts as an oncogene by targeting the tumor suppressor RhoBTB1

Tumor-derived exosomes that transport MicroRNAs significantly influence cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma(CSCC) progression. However, the molecular mechanisms of exosomal MicroRNA-31 regulation of CSCC are mostly undefined. To determine whether a targeting relationship exists between MicroRNA-31 (miR-31) in CSCC-derived exosomes and the tumor suppressor RhoBTB1, and the regulatory effect of the relationship on tumor cells. Immunoblotting and quantitative PCR were used to measure miR-31 and RhoBTB1 levels in various cells and exosomes. Differential ultracentrifugation was used to isolate exosomes. MTT and Transwell assays were used to assess cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Dual luciferase reporter assays were used to assess the direct interaction between miR-31 and the tumor suppressor RhoBTB1 in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC)-derived exosomes. Compared with a human skin keratinocyte cell line, in CSCC cell lines RhoBTB1 was downregulated and miR-31 levels were elevated. Exosomal miR-31 from CSCC cell lines directly targeted RhoBTB1 by binding to the 3' UTR of RhoBTB1. This interaction suppressed expression of RhoBTB1 and enhanced CSCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. MicroRNA-31 in CSCC-derived exosomes can enhance CSCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by suppressing expression of RhoBTB1. This finding explains, in part, the molecular mechanism of CSCC. Investigative approaches focused on suppressing miR-31 or enhancing RhoBTB1 signaling pathways are promising avenues for developing targeted therapies for CSCC.

Advances in microRNAs as Emerging Biomarkers for Colorectal Cancer Early Detection and Diagnosis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, necessitating advancements in early detection and innovative treatment strategies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs involved in gene regulation, have emerged as crucial players in the pathogenesis of CRC. This review synthesizes the latest findings on miRNA deregulated in precancerous lesions and in CRC. By examining the deregulation patterns of miRNAs across different stages of CRC development, this review highlights their potential as diagnostic tools. We specifically analyse the roles and diagnostic relevance of four miRNAs-miR-15b, miR-21, miR-31, and miR-146a-that consistently exhibit altered expression in CRC. The current knowledge of their role in key oncogenic pathways, drug resistance, and clinical relevance is discussed. Despite challenges posed by the heterogeneity of the research findings on miRNA deregulation and their role in CRC, integrating miRNA diagnostics into current screening methods holds promise for enhancing personalized medicine approaches. This review emphasizes the transformative potential of miRNAs in CRC diagnosis, paving the way for improved patient outcomes and novel therapeutic paradigms.

Dual role of microRNA-31 in human cancers; focusing on cancer pathogenesis and signaling pathways

Widespread changes in the expression of microRNAs in cancer result in abnormal gene expression for the miRNAs that control those genes, which in turn causes changes to entire molecular networks and pathways. The frequently altered miR-31, which is found in a wide range of cancers, is one cancer-related miRNA that is particularly intriguing. MiR-31 has a very complicated set of biological functions, and depending on the type of tumor, it may act both as a tumor suppressor and an oncogene. The endogenous expression levels of miR-31 appear to be a key determinant of the phenotype brought on by aberrant expression. Varied expression levels of miR-31 could affect cell growth, metastasis, drug resistance, and other process by several mechanisms like targeting BRCA1-associated protein-1 (BAP1), large tumor suppressor kinase 1 (LATS1) and protein phosphatase 2 (PP2A). This review highlights the current understanding of the genes that miR-31 targets while summarizing the complex expression patterns of miR-31 in human cancers and the diverse phenotypes brought on by altered miR-31 expression.

The antihyperlipidemic drug potassium piperonate impairs the migration and tumorigenesis of breast cancer cells via the upregulation of miR-31

Background

Breast cancer is the second cause of cancer death in women, and tumor metastasis is the primary cause of mortality. Due to the involvement of many regulatory molecules and signaling pathways, the occurrence and development of metastases needs to be further studied. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are ubiquitously expressed small non-coding RNAs that have been shown to play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases, as well as representing an attractive candidate for metastasis control. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of potassium piperonate (GBK) in impairing breast cancer cell invasion and metastasis by targeting miR-31.

Methods

Breast cancer cells, either treated with GBK or left untreated, were assessed for migration and invasion capacities using wound healing and transwell assays. GBK-targeted miRNAs were identified and verified using RT-qPCR. Western blotting was used to validate the changes in expression levels of miR-31-targeted genes. Methylation specific PCR was performed to detect the effect of GBK on the methylation levels of the lncRNA LOC554202 host gene. The synergistic effect of GBK and the chemotherapy drug cisplatin (DDP) on breast cancer cells was verified using cell proliferation, colony formation, and RT-qPCR assays in vitro, and the tumor xenograft model in vivo.

Results

We found that miR-31 was the main target of GBK. GBK treatment affected the epigenetic modification at CpG sites by downregulating DNA methyltransferases. Thus, the CpG-associated methylation levels of lncRNA LOC554202 decreased significantly, and in turn upregulated both miR-31 and its host gene LOC554202 in breast cancer cells. We also observed the significant inhibition of miR-31-targeted genes following GBK treatment, including RHOA, WAVE3, and SATB2, with functions closely related to cancer cell invasion, migration, and proliferation. Furthermore, we revealed that the combination of GBK and DDP had a synergistic effect on inhibiting the proliferation of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, especially in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Conclusions

This study investigated the target of GBK in the inhibition of breast cancer migration and invasion, and the underlying mechanisms involved, providing theoretical support for the development of GBK as an auxiliary drug for clinical treatment.

Identification of Diagnostic Exosomal LncRNA-miRNA-mRNA Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer Based on the ceRNA Network

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is currently the fourth most common cancer worldwide. The roles of exosomal competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) in CRC remain unclear. In this study, we constructed an exosomal ceRNA network to identify the core ceRNAs and investigate the diagnostic biomarkers in CRC.

Methods and Patients: Serum exosomes were isolated from four CRC patients and two healthy donors by ultracentrifugation, and then subjected to RNA isolation, sequencing and microarray. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses were performed to identify functional enrichment implications of differentially expressed exosomal mRNAs. TargetScan and miRanda were used for identifying the miRNA-mRNA and miRNA-LncRNA interactions. The predicted lncRNAs and mRNAs were intersected with the differentially expressed genes, for which the screening criterion was fold change >1.5 in the microarray. Differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs were identified in the GSE71008 dataset, and differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) were further summarized from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.

Results: A total of 1186 exosomal DEmRNAs, 2088 exosomal DElncRNAs and 29 exosomal miRNAs were detected in CRC patients compared to the healthy donors. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that exosomal DEmRNAs might participate in pathways related to carcinogenesis and development of cancer. An exosomal ceRNA regulatory network of CRC was constructed based on 40 lncRNAs, two miRNAs, and five mRNAs. Exosomal miR-150-5p and miR-10b-5p expression levels were increased in healthy donors compared with CRC patients in the GSE71008 dataset, and five DEmRNAs (TOMM70A, RBM48, BEND3, RHOBTB1, and ADAMTS2) were significantly upregulated in TCGA database. Two potential exosomal regulatory axes of lncRNA G016261-miR-150-5p-RBM48 and lncRNA XLOC_011677-miR-10b-5p-BEND3 were identified from the network.

Conclusion: The current study revealed potential molecular biological regulation pathways and diagnostic biomarkers through the exosomal ceRNA regulatory network.

Generation of MiRNA sponge constructs targeting multiple MiRNAs

Background

MicroRNAs(miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression in plants, animals and some viruses. Hence, alteration of miRNA levels in cells or tissues is common for miRNA studies. Loss‐of‐function of miRNA can be achieved using antisense oligonucleotides, sponges and gene knockout models.

Methods

Here, we showed an efficient, rational and economical way to construct multi‐targeted miRNA sponges with desired copies. Four copies of miRNA sponge are used as “building‐blocks”.

Results

These building‐blocks, which can target same miRNA or different miRNAs, are linked together through ligation. Each time of ligation can double the number of sponge copies.

Conclusions

In this way, we constructed lentivirus vectors harboring sponges targeting miR‐21, miR‐31 and miR‐155 and the combination of two miRNA sponges can inhibit cancer cell growth significantly.

Dysregulation of miR-144-5p/RNF187 axis contributes to the progression of colorectal cancer

Background and Objectives

RING finger protein 187 (RNF187) belongs to RING domain-containing E3 ligases family, which was recently reported to be involved in oncogenesis and development of several cancers. This research aims to clarify the role of RNF187 in colorectal cancer (CRC) development.

Methods

The expression of RNF187 and miR-144-4p were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The levels of RNF187 protein were assessed by western blot analysis. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay, clonogenic assay, cell scratch test and transwell assay were used to determine the proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC cells in vitro. The binding of miR-144-5p and RNF197 mRNA was validated by luciferase reporter assays. Tumor-bearing nude mice were used to determine CRC cells growth in vivo.

Results

RNF187 expression significantly increased in CRC specimens and cell lines compared to normal colon tissues and normal colonic mucosa cell line, respectively. Upregulation of RNF187 expression was inversely correlated to poor prognosis in CRC patients. In addition, knockdown of RNF187 expression inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion but promoted the apoptosis of CRC lines Caco-2 and SW480 cells. Further studies validated that RNF187 was the direct target of miR-144-5p. The expression of miR-144-5p was downregulated in CRC tissues, which was negatively correlated to the expression of RNF187. Restoration of miR-144-5p significantly inhibited the progression of CRC cells and its anti-tumor effects could be abrogated by overexpression of RNF187.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate the deregulation of miR-144-5p/ RNF187 axis in CRC, as well as its role in regulation of the tumor progression, thus providing a novel therapeutic strategy for CRC treatment.

RHO GTPase-Related Long Noncoding RNAs in Human Cancers

RHO GTPases are critical signal transducers that regulate cell adhesion, polarity, and migration through multiple signaling pathways. While all these cellular processes are crucial for the maintenance of normal cell homeostasis, disturbances in RHO GTPase-associated signaling pathways contribute to different human diseases, including many malignancies. Several members of the RHO GTPase family are frequently upregulated in human tumors. Abnormal gene regulation confirms the pivotal role of lncRNAs as critical gene regulators, and thus, they could potentially act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. lncRNAs most likely act as sponges for miRNAs, which are known to be dysregulated in various cancers. In this regard, the significant role of miRNAs targeting RHO GTPases supports the view that the aberrant expression of lncRNAs may reciprocally change the intensity of RHO GTPase-associated signaling pathways. In this review article, we summarize recent advances in lncRNA research, with a specific focus on their sponge effects on RHO GTPase-targeting miRNAs to crucially mediate gene expression in different cancer cell types and tissues. We will focus in particular on five members of the RHO GTPase family, including RHOA, RHOB, RHOC, RAC1, and CDC42, to illustrate the role of lncRNAs in cancer progression. A deeper understanding of the widespread dysregulation of lncRNAs is of fundamental importance for confirmation of their contribution to RHO GTPase-dependent carcinogenesis.

Analysis of microRNA Expression in Liquid-Based Cytology Samples May Be Useful for Primary Lung Cancer Diagnosis

OBJECTIVES

Bronchoscopy is frequently performed for patients suspected of having lung cancer; however, we sometimes fail to make a definitive diagnosis, resulting in additional invasive testing. Many studies indicate that microRNAs (miRs) are abnormally expressed in cancers. We examined the diagnostic value of 4 miRs (miR-21, miR-31, miR-182, and miR-183) extracted from liquid-based cytology (LBC) samples and validated whether they were diagnostically useful.

METHODS

We collected 18 surgically resected tissue samples and 136 LBC specimens obtained during bronchoscopic examination at Hiroshima University Hospital. We extracted RNA from these samples and compared the expression of 4 miRs by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

We confirmed that expression of the 4 miRs was significantly higher in cancer tissues than in tumor-adjacent normal tissues. We examined the expression of these miRs in 125 (cancer cases, 83; noncancer cases, 42) of 136 cytologic samples. Expression of all 4 miRs was significantly higher in patients with lung cancer than in those without lung cancer. Among samples judged as benign or indeterminate, levels of these miRs were also significantly higher in patients with lung cancer than in those without lung cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis of miR expression in LBC samples might be helpful for primary lung cancer diagnosis.

Identification of RHOBTB2 aberration as an independent prognostic indicator in acute myeloid leukemia

Rho-related BTB domain (RhoBTB) proteins belong to Rho guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases). Their putative role implicated in carcinogenesis has been supported by accumulating evidence. However, their expression pattern and potential role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remain unclear. We profiled RHOBTB mRNA expression via the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 (GEPIA2) database. Survival analysis was conducted with GEPIA2 and UALCAN. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to validate RHOBTB genes as independent prognostic indicators in the LAML cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Data regarding expression in different subtypes and relationships with common disease-related genes were retrieved from UALCAN. Co-expressed genes were screened out and subsequently subjected to functional enrichment analysis. We observed aberrant transcription levels of RHOBTB genes in AML patients. RHOBTB2 was identified as a prognostic candidate for overall survival (OS), independent of prognosis-related clinical factors and genetic abnormalities. Moreover, RHOBTB2 expression was increased in non-acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) subtypes, patients without FLT3 mutation and PML/RAR fusion, and imparted a positive correlation with the expression of FLT3, FHL1, and RUNXs. Co-expressed genes of RHOBTB2 were enriched in functional pathways in AML. Our findings suggest that RHOBTB2 might be a novel biomarker and independent prognostic indicator in AML and provide insights into the leukemogenesis and molecular network of AML.

High Expression of RhoBTB3 Predicts Favorable Chemothrapy Outcomes in non-M3 Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Background: The expression patterns and prognostic significance of the Rho family GTPases in acute myeloid leukemia have not been systematically studied yet.

Methods: In our study, we analyzed the expression patterns of 21 Rho family GTPases gene members in AML patients based on GEPIA database. 10 gene members with significant differential expression in AML tissue and healthy tissue were selected for subsequent research. Survival curve analysis in TCGA and GEO dataset preliminary showed that RhoBTB3 is related with the prognosis of non-M3 AML patients. The differential expression of RhoBTB3 on AML bone marrow and normal bone marrow was verified by RT-qPCR. We performed Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Multivariate Cox analysis to assess the prognostic value of RhoBTB3 in non-M3 AML patients with different treatment regimens. Gene functional enrichment analysis of RhoBTB3 was performed using GO, KEGG and PPI network.

Results: The AML patients from TCGA database were partitioned into 2 groups based on different treatment regimens: chemotherapy group and allo-HSCT group. In chemotherapy group, patients with higher expression level of RhoBTB3 showed relatively longer OS and EFS, multivariate Cox analysis revealed high RhoBTB3 mRNA expression as an independent favorable prognostic factor. However, in allo-HSCT group, no significant difference of OS and EFS were found between RhoBTB3 high and low subgroups. Meanwhile, allo-HSCT could circumvent the unfavorable prognosis that was associated with downregulation of RhoBTB3. Functional enrichment analysis showed the association of RhoBTB3 expression with several fundamental physiological components and pathways, including extracellular matrix components, extracellular structure organization, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction.

Conclusions: Our study identified RhoBTB3 as a prognostic marker and may aid in the selection of the appropriate treatment options between chemotherapy and allo-HCST in non-M3 AML patients. Further researches are necessary to clarify the involvement of RhoBTB3 in the pathogenesis of AML.

Potential pathways of zinc deficiency-promoted tumorigenesis

Zinc (Zn) is the second most abundant necessary trace element in the human body. It is reported that zinc deficiency (ZD) promotes many types of cancer progression through multiple signal pathways. It is well known that oxidative stress, DNA damage, DNA repair, cell cycle, cell apoptosis, metabolic alterations, microRNAs abnormal expression, and inflammation level are closely related to cancer development. Cumulative evidence suggests that ZD influences these biological functions. This review explores the latest advances in understanding the role of ZD in tumorigenesis. Fully comprehending the potential mechanisms of ZD-induced tumors may provide novel clues for prevention and clinical treatment of cancers.

Creation of a Prognostic Risk Prediction Model for Lung Adenocarcinoma Based on Gene Expression, Methylation, and Clinical Characteristics

Background

This study aimed to identify important marker genes in lung adenocarcinoma (LACC) and establish a prognostic risk model to predict the risk of LACC in patients.

Material/Methods

Gene expression and methylation profiles for LACC and clinical information about cases were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases, respectively. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially methylated genes (DMGs) between cancer and control groups were selected through meta-analysis. Pearson coefficient correlation analysis was performed to identify intersections between DEGs and DMGs and a functional analysis was performed on the genes that were correlated. Marker genes and clinical factors significantly related to prognosis were identified using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Risk prediction models were then created based on the marker genes and clinical factors.

Results

In total, 1975 DEGs and 2095 DMGs were identified. After comparison, 16 prognosis-related genes (EFNB2, TSPAN7, INPP5A, VAMP2, CALML5, SNAI2, RHOBTB1, CKB, ATF7IP2, RIMS2, RCBTB2, YBX1, RAB27B, NFATC1, TCEAL4, and SLC16A3) were selected from 265 overlapping genes. Four clinical factors (pathologic N [node], pathologic T [tumor], pathologic stage, and new tumor) were associated with prognosis. The prognostic risk prediction models were constructed and validated with other independent datasets.

Conclusions

An integrated model that combines clinical factors and gene markers is useful for predicting risk of LACC in patients. The 16 genes that were identified, including EFNB2, TSPAN7, INPP5A, VAMP2, and CALML5, may serve as novel biomarkers for diagnosis of LACC and prediction of disease prognosis.

MicroRNA-31 Regulates Expression of Wntless in Both Drosophila melanogaster and Human Oral Cancer Cells

Recent comparative studies have indicated distinct expression profiles of short, non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) in various types of cancer, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In this study, we employed a hybrid approach using Drosophila melanogaster as well as OSCC cell lines to validate putative targets of oral cancer-related miRNAs both in vivo and in vitro. Following overexpression of Drosophila miR-31, we found a significant decrease in the size of the imaginal wing discs and downregulation of a subset of putative targets, including wntless (wls), an important regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway. Parallel experiments performed in OSCC cells have also confirmed a similar miR-31-dependent regulation of human WLS that was not initially predicted as targets of human miR-31. Furthermore, we found subsequent downregulation of cyclin D1 and c-MYC, two of the main transcriptional targets of Wnt signaling, suggesting a potential role of miR-31 in regulating the cell cycle and proliferation of OSCC cells. Taken together, our Drosophila-based in vivo system in conjunction with the human in vitro platform will thus provide a novel insight into a mammal-to-Drosophila-to-mammal approach to validate putative targets of human miRNA and to better understand the miRNA-target relationships that play an important role in the pathophysiology of oral cancer.

PPARγ and RhoBTB1 in hypertension

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review provides an up-to-date understanding of how peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) exerts its cardioprotective effect in the vasculature through its activation of novel PPARγ target genes in endothelium and vascular smooth muscle.

RECENT FINDINGS

In vascular endothelial cells, PPARγ plays a protective role by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability and preventing oxidative stress. RBP7 is a PPARγ target gene enriched in vascular endothelial cells, which is likely to form a positive feedback loop with PPARγ. In vascular smooth muscle cells, PPARγ antagonizes the renin-angiotensin system, maintains vascular integrity, suppresses vasoconstriction, and promotes vasodilation through distinct pathways. Rho-related BTB domain containing protein 1 (RhoBTB1) is a novel PPARγ gene target in vascular smooth muscle cells that mediates the protective effect of PPARγ by serving as a substrate adaptor between the Cullin-3 RING ubiquitin ligase and phosphodiesterase 5, thus restraining its activity through ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation.

SUMMARY

In the vasculature, PPARγ exerts its cardioprotective effect through its transcriptional activity in endothelium and vascular smooth muscle. From the understanding of PPARγ's transcription targets in those pathways, novel hypertension therapy target(s) will emerge.

RhoBTB Proteins Regulate the Hippo Pathway by Antagonizing Ubiquitination of LKB1

The Hippo pathway regulates growth and apoptosis. We identify RhoBTB proteins as novel regulators of Hippo signaling. RhoBTB depletion in the Drosophila wing disc epithelium cooperated with Yki to drive hyperplasia into neoplasia. Depletion of RhoBTB2 caused elevated YAP activity in human cells. RhoBTB2 deficiency resulted in increased colony formation in assays for anchorage-independent growth. We provide evidence that RhoBTBs acts on Hippo signaling through regulation of the kinase LKB1. LKB1 protein levels were reduced upon RhoBTB2 depletion, which correlated with increased LKB1 ubiquitination. Restoring LKB1 levels rescued loss of RhoBTB in Drosophila. Our results suggest that RhoBTB-dependent LKB1 regulation may contribute to its tumor-suppressive function.

Deregulation of cancer-stem-cell-associated miRNAs in tissues and sera of colorectal cancer patients

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a deadly tumour in Western countries characterized by high cellular/molecular heterogeneity. Cancer stem cells (CSC) act in cancer recurrence, drug-resistance and in metastatic epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. microRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to cancer is increasing, and miRNA roles in CSC phenotype and fate and their utility as CRC biomarkers have also been reported. Here, we investigated miR-21, miR-221, miR-18a, miR-210, miR-31, miR-34a, miR-10b and miR-16 expression in experimental ALDH⁺ and CD44⁺/CD326⁺ colorectal CSCs obtained from the human CRC cell lines HCT-116, HT-29 and T-84. Then, we moved our analysis in cancer tissue (CT), healthy tissue (HT) and serum (S) of adult CRC patients (n=12), determining relationships with clinical parameters (age, sex, metastasis, biochemical serum markers). Specific miRNA patterns were evident in vitro (normal, monolayers and CSCs) and in patients’ samples stratified by TNM stage (LOW vs HIGH) or metastasis (Met vs no-Met). miR-21, miR-210, miR-34a upregulation ad miR-16 dowregulation associated with the CSCs phenotype. miR-31b robustly overexpressed in monolayers and CSCs, and in CT ad S of HIGH grade and Met patients, suggesting a role as marker of CRC progression and metastasis. miR-18a upregulated in all cancer models and associated to CSC phenotype, and to metastasis and age in patients. miR-10b downregulated in CT and S of LOW/HIGH grade and no-Met patients. Our results identify miRNAs useful as colorectal CSC biomarker and that miR-21, miR-210, miR-10b and miR-31b are promising markers of CRC. A specific role of miR-18a as metastatic CRC serum biomarker in adult patients was also highlighted.

Diagnostic Value Investigation and Bioinformatics Analysis of miR-31 in Patients with Lymph Node Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent cancers occurring in developed countries. Distant CRC metastasis causes more than 90% of CRC-associated mortality. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a key role in regulating tumor metastasis and could be potential diagnostic biomarkers in CRC patients. This study is aimed at identifying miRNAs that can be used as diagnostic biomarkers for CRC metastasis. Towards this goal, we compared the expression of five miRNAs commonly associated with metastasis (i.e., miR-10b, miR-200c, miR-155, miR-21, and miR-31) between primary CRC (pCRC) tissues and corresponding metastatic lymph nodes (mCRC). Further, bioinformatics analysis of miR-31 was performed to predict target genes and related signaling pathways. Results showed that miR-31, miR-21, miR-10b, and miR-155 expression was increased to different extents, while miR-200c expression was lower in mCRC than that in pCRC. Moreover, we found that the level of both miR-31 and miR-21 was notably increased in pCRC when lymph node metastasis (LNM) was present, and the increase of miR-31 expression was more profound. Hence, upregulated miR-31 and miR-21 expression might be a miRNA signature in CRC metastasis. Moreover, we detected a higher miR-31 level in the plasma of CRC patients with LNM compared to patients without LNM or healthy individuals. With the bioinformatics analysis of miR-31, 121 putative target genes and transition of mitotic cell cycle and Wnt signaling pathway were identified to possibly play a role in CRC progression. We next identified seven hub genes via module analysis; of these, TNS1 was most likely to be the target of miR-31 and had significant prognostic value for CRC patients. In conclusion, miR-31 is significantly increased in the cancer tissues and plasma of CRC patients with LNM; thus, a high level of miR-31 in the plasma is a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of LNM of CRC.

miR-31-5p may enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy with Taxol and cisplatin in TNBC

The limited efficacy of chemotherapy with Taxol (TAX) and cisplatin (DDP) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has prompted the investigation of combined therapies. Previous studies demonstrated that microRNA (miR)-31-5p is involved in various biological processes. In the present study, it was hypothesized that the overexpression of miR-31-5p may enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy. The expression levels of miR-31-5p in the TNBC cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 were measured using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR following transfection with miR-31-5p mimic or inhibitor. A Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry assays suggested that the overexpression of miR-31-5p inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis, and these effects were reversed by transfecting a miR-31-5p inhibitor into MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells. Furthermore, the overexpression of miR-31-5p increased the sensitivity of cells to chemotherapy, which exhibited an increase in apoptosis and in the expression level of Bax, and a decrease in the expression level of Bcl-2. Chemotherapy resistance induced by miR-31-5p inhibitor could be reversed by inhibiting the AKT signaling pathway in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells. In conclusion, the present preclinical results indicated that targeting miR-31-5p may enhance the efficacy of TAX- and DDP-mediated chemotherapy in TNBC.

Oncogenic and tumor suppressive roles of special AT-rich sequence-binding protein

In recent years, research efforts have been centered on the functional roles of special AT-rich sequence-binding protein (SATB2) in cancer development. Existing studies differ in the types of tumor tissues and cell lines used, resulting in mixed results, which hinder the clear understanding of whether SATB2 acts as a tumor suppressor or promoter. Literature search for this review consisted of a basic search on PubMed using keywords "SATB2" and "special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2." Each article was then selected for further examination based on relevance of the title. In consideration to possible missing data from a primary PubMed search, after coding for relevant information, articles listed in the references section were filtered for further review. The current literature suggests that SATB2 can act both as a tumor suppressor and as a promoter since it can be regulated by multiple factors and is able to target different downstream genes in various types of cancer cell lines as well as tissues. Future studies should focus on its contradictory roles in different types of tumors. This paper provides a comprehensive review of currently available research on the role of SATB2 in different cancer cells and tissues and may provide some insight into the contradictory roles of SATB2 in cancer development.

The search of CAR, AhR, ESRs binding sites in promoters of intronic and intergenic microRNAs

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the regulation of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Many exogenous compounds or xenobiotics may affect microRNA expression. It is a well-established fact that xenobiotics with planar structure like TCDD, benzo(a)pyrene (BP) can bind aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) followed by its nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation of target genes. Another chemically diverse group of xenobiotics including phenobarbital, DDT, can activate the nuclear receptor CAR and in some cases estrogen receptors ESR1 and ESR2. We hypothesized that such chemicals can affect miRNA expression through the activation of AHR, CAR, and ESRs. To prove this statement, we used in silico methods to find DRE, PBEM, ERE potential binding sites for these receptors, respectively. We have predicted AhR, CAR, and ESRs binding sites in 224 rat, 201 mouse, and 232 human promoters of miRNA-coding genes. In addition, we have identified a number of miRNAs with predicted AhR, CAR, and ESRs binding sites that are known as oncogenes and as tumor suppressors. Our results, obtained in silico, open a new strategy for ongoing experimental studies and will contribute to further investigation of epigenetic mechanisms of carcinogenesis.

MicroRNAs in the etiology of colorectal cancer: pathways and clinical implications

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small single-stranded RNAs that repress mRNA translation and trigger mRNA degradation. Of the ∼1900 miRNA-encoding genes present in the human genome, ∼250 miRNAs are reported to have changes in abundance or altered functions in colorectal cancer. Thousands of studies have documented aberrant miRNA levels in colorectal cancer, with some miRNAs reported to actively regulate tumorigenesis. A recurrent phenomenon with miRNAs is their frequent participation in feedback loops, which probably serve to reinforce or magnify biological outcomes to manifest a particular cellular phenotype. Here, we review the roles of oncogenic miRNAs (oncomiRs), tumor suppressive miRNAs (anti-oncomiRs) and miRNA regulators in colorectal cancer. Given their stability in patient-derived samples and ease of detection with standard and novel techniques, we also discuss the potential use of miRNAs as biomarkers in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer and as prognostic indicators of this disease. MiRNAs also represent attractive candidates for targeted therapies because their function can be manipulated through the use of synthetic antagonists and miRNA mimics.

Summary: This Review provides an overview of some important microRNAs and their roles in colorectal cancer.

miR-31a-5p promotes postnatal cardiomyocyte proliferation by targeting RhoBTB1

A limited number of microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) have been reported to control postnatal cardiomyocyte proliferation, but their strong regulatory effects suggest a possible therapeutic approach to stimulate regenerative capacity in the diseased myocardium. This study aimed to investigate the miRNAs responsible for postnatal cardiomyocyte proliferation and their downstream targets. Here, we compared miRNA profiles in cardiomyocytes between postnatal day 0 (P0) and day 10 (P10) using miRNA arrays, and found that 21 miRNAs were upregulated at P10, whereas 11 were downregulated. Among them, miR-31a-5p was identified as being able to promote cardiomyocyte proliferation as determined by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression, double immunofluorescent labeling for α-actinin and 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU) or Ki-67, and cell number counting, whereas miR-31a-5p inhibition could reduce their levels. RhoBTB1 was identified as a target gene of miR-31a-5p, mediating the regulatory effect of miR-31a-5p in cardiomyocyte proliferation. Importantly, neonatal rats injected with a miR-31a-5p antagomir at day 0 for three consecutive days exhibited reduced expression of markers of cardiomyocyte proliferation including PCNA expression and double immunofluorescent labeling for α-actinin and EdU, Ki-67 or phospho-histone-H3. In conclusion, miR-31a-5p controls postnatal cardiomyocyte proliferation by targeting RhoBTB1, and increasing miR-31a-5p level might be a novel therapeutic strategy for enhancing cardiac reparative processes.

Current Status and Perspectives Regarding LNA-Anti-miR Oligonucleotides and microRNA miR-21 Inhibitors as a Potential Therapeutic Option in Treatment of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the leading causes of cancer-related death, principally due to its metastatic spread and multifactorial chemoresistance. The therapeutic failure can also be explained by inter- or intra-tumor genetic heterogeneity and tumor stromal content. Thus, the identification of novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic options are warranted in the management of CRC patients. There are data showing that microRNA-21 is elevated in different types of cancer, particularly colon adenocarcinoma and that this is association with a poor prognosis. This suggests that microRNA-21 may be of value as a potential therapeutic target. Furthermore, locked nucleic acid (LNA)-modified oligonucleotides have recently emerged as a therapeutic option for targeting dysregulated miRNAs in cancer therapy, through antisense-based gene silencing. Further work is required to identify innovative anticancer drugs that improve the current therapy either through novel combinatorial approaches or with better efficacy than conventional drugs. We aimed to provide an overview of the preclinical and clinical studies targeting key dysregulated signaling pathways in CRC as well as the therapeutic application of LNA-modified oligonucleotides, and miR inhibitors in the treatment of CRC patients. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4129-4140, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prognostic microRNAs in upper tract urothelial carcinoma: multicenter and international validation study

Objective

To validate previously discovered miRNAs (miR-31-5p and miR-149-5p) as prognostic factors for UTUC in an independent cohort of UTUC patients.

Patients and Methods

Multicenter, international and retrospective study of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 103 UTUC patients (45 progressing and 58 non-progressing) who underwent radical nephroureterectomy. Total RNA was isolated and reverse transcribed. The expression of target miRNAs (miR-31-5p and miR-149-5p) and the endogenous control miR-218-5p was evaluated in all samples by reverse transcription quantitative PCR. Normalized miRNA expression values were evaluated by multivariate forward stepwise Cox regression analysis. Kaplan Meier curves were used to discriminate between two groups of patients with a different probability of tumour progression.

Results

The mean age (range) of the series was 67 (33-94) years. Overall, 45 patients (43.7%) developed tumour progression and 32 patients (31.2%) died, 20 of these (62.5%) due to their UTUC, after a median follow-up of 36 months. The mean time for tumour progression and cancer-specific survival were 15 and 20 months, respectively. Five year tumour progression free survival and cancer-specific survival were 58% for ≤ pT2, 36% for pT3 and 0% for pT4 and 67.8% for ≤ pT2, 50.6% for pT3 and 0% for pT4, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, expression of miR-31-5p was found to be an independent prognostic factor of tumour progression (HR 1.1; 95% CI 1.039-1.273; p=0.02). Kaplan Meier curve shows that miR-31-5p expression values are able to discriminate between two groups of UTUC patients with a different probability of tumour progression (p=0.007).

Conclusions

We have been able to validate our previous results in an independent multicentre international cohort of UTUC patients, suggesting that miRNA-31-5p could be a useful prognostic marker of UTUC progression. The application of miRNA expression values to clinical practice could refine the currently used clinicopathological-based approach for predicting UTUC patients’ outcome.

Colorectal Cancer: From the Genetic Model to Posttranscriptional Regulation by Noncoding RNAs

Colorectal cancer is the third most common form of cancer in developed countries and, despite the improvements achieved in its treatment options, remains as one of the main causes of cancer-related death. In this review, we first focus on colorectal carcinogenesis and on the genetic and epigenetic alterations involved. In addition, noncoding RNAs have been shown to be important regulators of gene expression. We present a general overview of what is known about these molecules and their role and dysregulation in cancer, with a special focus on the biogenesis, characteristics, and function of microRNAs. These molecules are important regulators of carcinogenesis, progression, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastases in cancer, including colorectal cancer. For this reason, miRNAs can be used as potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and efficacy of chemotherapeutic treatments, or even as therapeutic agents, or as targets by themselves. Thus, this review highlights the importance of miRNAs in the development, progression, diagnosis, and therapy of colorectal cancer and summarizes current therapeutic approaches for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

The tumor suppressor RhoBTB1 controls Golgi integrity and breast cancer cell invasion through METTL7B

BACKGROUND

RhoBTB1 and 2 are atypical members of the Rho GTPase family of signaling proteins. Unlike other Rho GTPases, RhoBTB1 and 2 undergo silencing or mutation in a wide range of epithelial cancers; however, little is known about the consequences of this loss of function.

METHODS

We analyzed transcriptome data to identify transcriptional targets of RhoBTB2. We verified these using Q-PCR and then used gene silencing and cell imaging to determine the cellular function of these targets downstream of RhoBTB signaling.

RESULTS

RhoBTB1 and 2 regulate the expression of the methyltransferases METTL7B and METTL7A, respectively. RhoBTB1 regulates the integrity of the Golgi complex through METTL7B. RhoBTB1 is required for expression of METTL7B and silencing of either protein leads to fragmentation of the Golgi. Loss of RhoBTB1 expression is linked to Golgi fragmentation in breast cancer cells. Restoration of normal RhoBTB1 expression rescues Golgi morphology and dramatically inhibits breast cancer cell invasion.

CONCLUSION

Loss of RhoBTB1 expression in breast cancer cells leads to Golgi fragmentation and hence loss of normal polarity.

MicroRNA-31 functions as an oncogenic microRNA in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cells by targeting RhoTBT1

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is a malignancy of epidermal keratinocytes that is responsible for ~20% of annual skin cancer-associated mortalities. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that the dysregulation of micro (mi)RNAs serves a significant role in the tumorigenesis and progression of human cSCC. MicroRNA-31 (miR-31) is upregulated in cSCC and is involved in cSCC development. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The present study demonstrated that miR-31 is upregulated in the cSCC cell line, A-431, and that miR-31 expression contributes to the cell proliferation and invasion of cSCC. In addition, bioinformatics combined with dual luciferase reporter analysis was applied to determine that the tumor suppressor RhoTBT1 was a direct target of miR-31. In addition, miR-31 mimics reduced RhoBTB1 expression in A-431 cells. The results of MTT and Transwell assays demonstrated that knockdown of RhoBTB1 by short interfering RNA induced cell proliferation and invasion in A-431 cells. These results indicated that suppression of RhoBTB1 may be involved in cSCC tumorigenesis, which was directly affected by miR-31. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence that miR-31 acts as an oncogene through direct repression of RhoTBT1 expression in cSCC cancer, suggesting a potential application of miR-31 in prognosis prediction and its therapeutic application in cSCC.

Expression of circulating miRNAs associated with lymphocyte differentiation and activation in CLL-another piece in the puzzle

Expression of microRNAs is altered in cancer. Circulating miRNA level assessed in body fluids commonly reflects their expression in tumor cells. In leukemias, however, both leukemic and nonleukemic cells compose circulating miRNA expression profile of peripheral blood. The latter contribution to extracellular miRNA pool may result in specific microenvironmental signaling, which promotes proliferation and survival. In our study, we used qT-PCR to assay peripheral blood serum of 22 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients for the expression of 84 miRNAs associated with activation and differentiation of B and T lymphocytes. Results were analyzed regarding the most important prognostic factors. We have found that the general expression of examined miRNAs in CLL patients was lower as compared to healthy volunteers. Only miR-34a-5p, miR31-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-150-5p, miR-15a-3p, and miR-29a-3p were expressed on a higher level. Alterations of expression observed in CLL patients involved miRNAs associated both with B and T lymphocyte differentiation and activation. The most important discriminating factors for all functional miRNA groups were trisomy 12, CD38 expression, B2M level, WBC, and NOTCH1 gene mutation. Correlation of expression of miRNAs related to T lymphocytes with prognostic factors proves their supportive function in a leukemic microenvironment. Further studies utilizing a larger test group of patients may warrant the identification of circulating miRNAs that are key players in intercellular interactions and should be considered in the design of microenvironment-targeted therapies.

Rho GTPases: Regulation and roles in cancer cell biology

Rho GTPases are well known for their roles in regulating cell migration, and also contribute to a variety of other cellular responses. They are subdivided into 2 groups: typical and atypical. The typical Rho family members, including RhoA, Rac1 and Cdc42, cycle between an active GTP-bound and inactive GDP-bound conformation, and are regulated by GEFs, GAPs and GDIs, whereas atypical Rho family members have amino acid substitutions that alter their ability to interact with GTP/GDP and hence are regulated by different mechanisms. Both typical and atypical Rho GTPases contribute to cancer progression. In a few cancers, RhoA or Rac1 are mutated, but in most cancers expression levels and/or activity of Rho GTPases is altered. Rho GTPase signaling could therefore be therapeutically targeted in cancer treatment.

Rho GTPases operating at the Golgi complex: Implications for membrane traffic and cancer biology

The Golgi complex is the central unit of the secretory pathway, modifying, processing and sorting proteins and lipids to their correct cellular localisation. Changes to proteins at the Golgi complex can have deleterious effects on the function of this organelle, impeding trafficking routes through it, potentially resulting in disease. It is emerging that several Rho GTPase proteins, namely Cdc42, RhoBTB3, RhoA and RhoD are at least in part localised to the Golgi complex, and a number of studies have shown that dysregulation of their levels or activity can be associated with cellular changes which ultimately drive cancer progression. In this mini-review we highlight some of the recent work that explores links between form and function of the Golgi complex, Rho GTPases and cancer.

Function and regulation of microRNA-31 in development and disease

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that orchestrate numerous cellular processes both under normal physiological conditions as well as in diseases. This review summarizes the functional roles and transcriptional regulation of the highly evolutionarily conserved miRNA, microRNA-31 (miR-31). miR-31 is an important regulator of embryonic implantation, development, bone and muscle homeostasis, and immune system function. Its own regulation is disrupted during the onset and progression of cancer and autoimmune disorders such as psoriasis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Limited studies suggest that miR-31 is transcriptionally regulated by epigenetics, such as methylation and acetylation, as well as by a number of transcription factors. Overall, miR-31 regulates diverse cellular and developmental processes by targeting genes involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell differentiation, and cell motility. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 654-674, 2016 © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Atypical Rho GTPases of the RhoBTB Subfamily: Roles in Vesicle Trafficking and Tumorigenesis

RhoBTB proteins constitute a subfamily of atypical Rho GTPases represented in mammals by RhoBTB1, RhoBTB2, and RhoBTB3. Their characteristic feature is a carboxyl terminal extension that harbors two BTB domains capable of assembling cullin 3-dependent ubiquitin ligase complexes. The expression of all three RHOBTB genes has been found reduced or abolished in a variety of tumors. They are considered tumor suppressor genes and recent studies have strengthened their implication in tumorigenesis through regulation of the cell cycle and apoptosis. RhoBTB3 is also involved in retrograde transport from endosomes to the Golgi apparatus. One aspect that makes RhoBTB proteins atypical among the Rho GTPases is their proposed mechanism of activation. No specific guanine nucleotide exchange factors or GTPase activating proteins are known. Instead, RhoBTB might be activated through interaction with other proteins that relieve their auto-inhibited conformation and inactivated through auto-ubiquitination and destruction in the proteasome. In this review we discuss our current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of action of RhoBTB proteins and the implications for tumorigenesis and other pathologic conditions.

microRNA-31 modulates skeletal patterning in the sea urchin embryo

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that repress the translation and reduce the stability of target mRNAs in animal cells. microRNA-31 (miR-31) is known to play a role in cancer, bone formation and lymphatic development. However, studies to understand the function of miR-31 in embryogenesis have been limited. We examined the regulatory role of miR-31 in early development using the sea urchin as a model. miR-31 is expressed at all stages of development and its knockdown (KD) disrupts the patterning and function of primary mesenchyme cells (PMCs), which form the embryonic skeleton spicules. We identified that miR-31 directly represses Pmar1, Alx1, Snail and VegfR7 within the PMC gene regulatory network using reporter constructs. Further, blocking the miR-31-mediated repression of Alx1 and/or VegfR7 in the developing embryo resulted in defects in PMC patterning and skeletogenesis. The majority of the mislocalized PMCs in miR-31 KD embryos did not express VegfR10, indicating that miR-31 regulates VegfR gene expression within PMCs. In addition, miR-31 indirectly suppresses Vegf3 expression in the ectoderm. These results indicate that miR-31 coordinately suppresses genes within the PMCs and in the ectoderm to impact PMC patterning and skeletogenesis. This study identifies the novel function and molecular mechanism of miR-31-mediated regulation in the developing embryo.

MicroRNA-mRNA interactions in colorectal cancer and their role in tumor progression

MicroRNAs (miRNA/miR) play an important role in gene regulatory networks through targeting mRNAs. They are involved in diverse biological processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. Due to their pivotal effects on multiple genes and pathways, dysregulated miRNAs have been reported to be associated with different diseases, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Recent evidence indicates that aberrant miRNA expression is tightly linked with the initiation and progression of CRC. To elucidate the influence of miRNA regulation in CRC, it is critical to identify dysregulated miRNAs, their target mRNA genes and their involvement in gene regulatory and signaling networks. Various experimental and computational studies have been conducted to decipher the function of miRNAs involved in CRC. Experimental studies that are used for this purpose can be classified into two categories: direct/individual and indirect/high-throughput gene expression studies. Here we review miRNA target identification studies related to CRC with an emphasis on experimental data based on Luciferase reporter assays. Recent advances in determining the function of miRNAs and the signaling pathways they are involved in have also been summarized. The review helps bioinformaticians and biologists to find extensive information about downstream targets of dysregulated miRNAs, and their pro-/anti-CRC effects.

Regulatory Roles of Non-Coding RNAs in Colorectal Cancer

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have recently gained attention because of their involvement in different biological processes. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that mutations or abnormal expression of ncRNAs are closely associated with various diseases including cancer. The present review is a comprehensive examination of the aberrant regulation of ncRNAs in colorectal cancer (CRC) and a summary of the current findings on ncRNAs, including long ncRNAs, microRNAs, small interfering RNAs, small nucleolar RNAs, small nuclear RNAs, Piwi-interacting RNAs, and circular RNAs. These ncRNAs might become novel biomarkers and targets as well as potential therapeutic tools for the treatment of CRC in the near future and this review may provide important clues for further research on CRC and for the selection of effective therapeutic targets.

An update on miRNAs as biological and clinical determinants in colorectal cancer: a bench-to-bedside approach

Colorectal carcinogenesis represents a sequential progression of normal colonic mucosa from adenoma to carcinoma. It has become apparent that miRNA deregulation contributes to the initiation and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). These oncogenic or tumor-suppressive miRNAs interact with intracellular signaling networks and lead to alteration of cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis and even response to chemotherapeutic treatments. This article aims to review the cutting edge progress in the discovery of the role of novel mechanisms for miRNAs in the development of CRC. We will also discuss the potential use of miRNAs as biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of CRC. Furthermore, with advancements in RNA delivery technology, it is anticipated that manipulation of miRNAs may offer an alternative therapy for CRC treatment.

An update on microRNAs as colorectal cancer biomarkers: where are we and what's next?

miRNAs are abundant classes of small, endogenous non-coding RNAs, which inhibit the expression of target gene via post-transcriptional regulation. In addition to an important functional role miRNAs play in carcinogenesis, emerging evidence has demonstrated their feasibility as robust cancer biomarkers. In particular, the recent discovery of miRNAs in the body fluids provides an attractive opportunity for the development of non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis and predictive response to cancer therapy. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and accumulating data provides a compelling case for the potential exploitation of miRNAs as CRC-biomarkers. This review summarizes the current state of literature in the field, focusing on the clinical relevance of miRNAs as potential biomarkers for CRC treatment and discussing the forthcoming challenges to further advance this exciting field of 'academic research' into 'bedside clinical care' of patients suffering from CRC.

Analysis of MicroRNAs in sputum to improve computed tomography for lung cancer diagnosis

INTRODUCTION

Computed tomography (CT) plays a central role in lung cancer diagnosis. However, CT has relatively low specificity, presenting a challenge in clinical settings. We previously identified 12 microRNAs (miRNAs) whose expressions in tumor tissues were associated with lung cancer.

METHODS

Using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, we aimed to identify miRNA biomarkers in sputum that could complement CT for diagnosis of lung cancer.

RESULTS

In a training set consisting of 66 lung cancer patients and 68 cancer-free smokers, 10 of the 12 miRNAs were differentially expressed between the cases and controls (p ≤ 0.01). From the miRNAs, a logistic regression model was built on the basis of miR-31 and miR-210, both of which had the best prediction for lung cancer, producing an area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.83. Combined use of the two miRNAs yielded 65.2% sensitivity and 89.7% specificity, CT had 93.9% sensitivity and 83.8% specificity for lung cancer diagnosis. Notably, combined analysis of the miRNA biomarkers and CT produced a higher specificity than does CT used alone (91.2% versus 83.8%; p < 0.05). The diagnostic performance of the biomarkers was confirmed in a testing set comprising 64 lung cancer patients and 73 cancer-free smokers.

CONCLUSION

The sputum miRNA biomarkers might be useful in improving CT for diagnosis of lung cancer, but further independent validation on an external and prospective cohort of patients is required.

K14-EGFP-miR-31 transgenic mice have high susceptibility to chemical-induced squamous cell tumorigenesis that is associating with Ku80 repression

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) occurring in the head and neck region and the esophagus causes tremendous cancer mortality around the world. miR-31 is among the most eminently upregulated MicroRNAs in SCC, when it occurs in the head and neck region and the esophagus. We established miR-31 transgenic mouse lines, in which miR-31 is under the control of the K14 promoter. 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO) is a mutagen that causes double strand breaks. The transgenic mice exhibited a higher potential for tumor induction than wild-type (Wt) mice of the tongue and esophagus after 4NQO treatment. After 4NQO treatment or irradiation, p-γH2AX expression in squamous epithelium of transgenic mice was increased more than in Wt mice. Exogenous expression of miR-31 was also found to be associated with the higher p-γH2AX expression induced by 4NQO in human oral SCC (OSCC) cell lines. The repair genes PARP1 and Ku80 were validated as new targets of miR-31 in human OSCC cell lines, and were found to be downregulated in the squamous epithelium of the tongue in transgenic mice. However, only the downregulation of Ku80 was essential for maintaining the high level of p-γH2AX induced by 4NQO in OSCC cells. Inverse expression profiles for miR-31 and Ku80 were noted in human OSCC tissue. Our study identifies the high sensitivity of K14-EGFP-miR-31 transgenic mice to chemical carcinogen-induced squamous cell tumorigenesis and shows that this seems to be associated with the downregulation of Ku80 and an impairment of repair activity in squamous cells, which are mediated by miR-31.

microRNA 31 functions as an endometrial cancer oncogene by suppressing Hippo tumor suppressor pathway

Background

We aimed to investigate whether MIR31 is an oncogene in human endometrial cancer and identify the target molecules associated with the malignant phenotype.

Methods

We investigated the growth potentials of MIR31-overexpressing HEC-50B cells in vitro and in vivo. In order to identify the target molecule of MIR31, a luciferase reporter assay was performed, and the corresponding downstream signaling pathway was examined using immunohistochemistry of human endometrial cancer tissues. We also investigated the MIR31 expression in 34 patients according to the postoperative risk of recurrence.

Results

The overexpression of MIR31 significantly promoted anchorage-independent growth in vitro and significantly increased the tumor forming potential in vivo. MIR31 significantly suppressed the luciferase activity of mRNA combined with the LATS2 3’-UTR and consequently promoted the translocation of YAP1, a key molecule in the Hippo pathway, into the nucleus. Meanwhile, the nuclear localization of YAP1 increased the transcription of CCND1. Furthermore, the expression levels of MIR31 were significantly increased (10.7-fold) in the patients (n = 27) with a high risk of recurrence compared to that observed in the low-risk patients (n = 7), and this higher expression correlated with a poor survival.

Conclusions

MIR31 functions as an oncogene in endometrial cancer by repressing the Hippo pathway. MIR31 is a potential new molecular marker for predicting the risk of recurrence and prognosis of endometrial cancer.

Identification of miRNAs differentially expressed in clinical stages of human colorectal carcinoma-an investigation in Guangzhou, China

Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been implicated in human cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Such dysregulated miRNAs may have potential as diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets. However, the nature of an association between these miRNAs and clinical stages of CRC is still not clear. To this end, we performed a miRNA profiling of 1547 distinct human miRNAs using 31 samples of tumor and paired normal mucosa obtained from 31 CRC patients. Based on statistical analyses of profiling data, we identified 569 miRNAs that were significantly dysregulated in CRC relative to normal tissues (P<0.05). Among the 569 dysregulated miRNAs, downregulation of 17 was associated with stages II, III, and IV colon and rectal cancers (separate or combined), according to our criteria. We also assessed the potential of these dysregulated miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for CRC patients who were without metastasis, and the value of the dysregulated miRNAs for predicting metastasis, lymph node and distant. Their distinct expression patterns in colon and rectal cancers were also examined. Although our findings cannot be immediately applied toward clinical diagnosis, our new study model for determining and assessing the biomarker potential of dysregulated miRNAs should be useful in further research in detection of human CRC.

Concomitant microRNA-31 downregulation and radixin upregulation predicts advanced tumor progression and unfavorable prognosis in patients with gliomas

PURPOSE

To clarify the clinical significance of microRNA-31 (miR-31) and radixin (RDX) in human glioma.

METHODS

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis was used to characterize the expression patterns of miR-31 and RDX mRNA in 108 glioma and 20 normal brain tissues. The associations of miR-31 and RDX mRNA expressions with clinicopathologic factors and prognosis of glioma patients were also statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

The expression levels of miR-31 in glioma tissues were significantly lower than those in normal brain tissues (P<0.001), while RDX mRNA was significantly overexpressed in glioma tissues compared with normal brain tissues (P<0.001). There was a negative correlation between miR-31 and RDX mRNA expression in glioma tissues (r=-0.69, P=0.01). Additionally, concomitant miR-31 downregulation and RDX upregulation (miR-31-low/RDX-high) was significantly associated with advanced pathological grade (P=0.001) and low Karnofsky performance score (P=0.01). Moreover, Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses showed that the glioma patients with miR-31-low/RDX-high expression had poorest overall survival (P<0.001) and conjoined expression of miR-31-low/RDX-high was an independent prognostic indicator of glioma (P=0.01). Furthermore, subgroup analyses showed that miR-31-low/RDX-high expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival in glioma patients with high pathological grades (for grade III-IV: P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings have implications concerning the importance of concomitant miR-31 downregulation and RDX upregulation in tumor progression and poor prognosis of patients with gliomas. A combined detection of miR-31/RDX expression may benefit us in predicting clinical outcomes of glioma patients with high pathological grades.

miR-31 promotes oncogenesis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cells via the direct suppression of RASA1

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). However, the role of microRNA-31 (miR-31) in ICC has yet to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that the expression of miR-31 was significantly upregulated in ICC tissues and the human ICC cell line HCCC-9810, when compared with that in normal adjacent tissues. Bioinformatic analysis and a dual-luciferase reporter assay revealed RAS p21 GTPase activating protein 1 (RASA1) to be a direct target of miR-31 in HCCC-9810 cells. Further investigation showed that the protein expression level of RASA1 was significantly decreased in ICC tissues, suggesting an inverse correlation between miR-31 and RASA1 expression during the tumorigenesis of ICC. Moreover, the forced downregulation of miR-31 by its inhibitor in HCCC-9810 cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. However, when the cells were cotransfected with miR-31 inhibitor and RASA1-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA), these changes were attenuated. Further analysis of the molecular mechanism showed that the activity of the RAS-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was significantly decreased in miR-31-downregulated HCCC-8910 cells, while cotransfection with miR-31 inhibitor and RASA1-specific siRNA attenuated this effect. These results indicate that the downregulation of RASA1 by miR-31 promoted cellular proliferation and inhibited cellular apoptosis, partially by upregulating the activity of the RAS-MAPK signaling pathway in ICC. In conclusion, the present study revealed important regulatory functions of miR-31 and RASA1 in ICC, indicating that miR-31 and RASA1 may become promising diagnostic and/or therapeutic targets for ICC.

The diverse role of miR-31 in regulating cancer associated phenotypes

In the past 10 years research on miRNAs has demonstrated their central role in regulating gene expression both in normal and diseased tissue. The expression of miRNAs is widely altered in cancer, leading to abnormal expression of the genes regulated by these miRNAs, and subsequently alterations in entire molecular networks and pathways. One especially interesting cancer-related miRNA is miR-31 which is frequently altered in a large variety of cancers. The functional role of miR-31 is extremely complex and miR-31 can hold both tumor suppressive and oncogenic roles in different tumor types. The phenotype caused by aberrant miR-31 expression seems to be strongly dependent on the endogenous expression levels. For example, in breast cancer loss of miR-31 expression is associated with high risk of metastases, whereas in colorectal cancer high miR-31 expression correlates with advanced disease stage. This review summarizes the complex expression patterns of miR-31 in human cancers, describes the variable phenotypes caused by altered miR-31 expression, and highlights the current knowledge on the genes targeted by miR-31.

Identification and characterization of microRNAs by high through-put sequencing in mesenchymal stem cells and bone tissue from mice of age-related osteoporosis

The functional deficiencies of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may contribute to the aging process and age-related diseases, such as osteoporosis. Although it has been reported that microRNAs (miRNAs) played an important role in mechanisms of gene regulation of aging, and their expression profiles in MSCs osteogenic differentiation were established in recent years, but it is still elusive for the dynamic patterns of miRNAs in aging process. Importantly, the miRNAs in aged bone tissue had not been yet reported so far. Here, we combined high through-put sequencing with computational techniques to detect miRNAs dynamics in MSCs and bone tissue of age-related osteoporosis. Among the detected miRNAs, 59 identified miRNAs in MSCs and 159 in bone showed significantly differential expressions. And more importantly, there existed 8 up-regulated and 30 down-regulated miRNAs in both MSCs and bone during the aging process, with the majority having a trend of down-regulation. Furthermore, after target prediction and KEGG pathway analysis, we found that their targeted genes were significantly enriched in pathways in cancer, which are complex genetic networks, comprise of a number of age-related pathways. These results strongly suggest that these analyzed miRNAs may be negatively involved in age-related osteoporosis, given that most of them showed a decreased expression, which could lay a good foundation for further functional analysis of these miRNAs in age-related osteoporosis.

MicroRNA-31 predicts the presence of lymph node metastases and survival in patients with lung adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

We conducted genome-wide miRNA-sequencing (miRNA-seq) in primary cancer tissue from patients of lung adenocarcinoma to identify markers for the presence of lymph node metastasis.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Markers for lymph node metastasis identified by sequencing were validated in a separate cohort using quantitative PCR. After additional validation in the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset, functional characterization studies were conducted in vitro.

RESULTS

MiR-31 was upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma tissues from patients with lymph node metastases compared with those without lymph node metastases. We confirmed miR-31 to be upregulated in lymph node-positive patients in a separate patient cohort (P = 0.009, t test), and to be expressed at higher levels in adenocarcinoma tissue than in matched normal adjacent lung tissues (P < 0.0001, paired t test). MiR-31 was then validated as a marker for lymph node metastasis in an external validation cohort of 233 lung adenocarcinoma cases of the TCGA (P = 0.031, t test). In vitro functional assays showed that miR-31 increases cell migration, invasion, and proliferation in an ERK1/2 signaling-dependent manner. Notably, miR-31 was a significant predictor of survival in a multivariate cox regression model even when controlling for cancer staging. Exploratory in silico analysis showed that low expression of miR-31 is associated with excellent survival for T2N0 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

We applied miRNA-seq to study microRNomes in lung adenocarcinoma tissue samples for the first time and potentially identified a miRNA predicting the presence of lymph node metastasis and survival outcomes in patients of lung adenocarcinoma.

Decreased expression of microRNA-31 associates with aggressive tumor progression and poor prognosis in patients with bladder cancer

PURPOSE

MicroRNA-31 (miR-31) has different expression patterns in various human cancers. Especially in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, it has been demonstrated to be decreased expression in the invasive tumors and homozygously deleted. However, its clinical significance in human bladder cancer has not yet been elucidated. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic values of miR-31 in this disease.

METHODS

Expression levels of miR-31 in 126 pairs of bladder cancer and adjacent normal tissues were detected by real-time quantitative RT-PCR assay. To determine its prognostic value, overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazard analysis.

RESULTS

MiR-31 expression in bladder cancer tissues was significantly lower than those in adjacent normal tissues (mean expression level: 2.1 ± 0.9 vs. 3.8 ± 1.2, P < 0.001). When categorized into low vs. high expression, low miR-31 expression was negatively associated with the tumor stage (P = 0.02), the status of recurrence (P = 0.01), progression (P = 0.01), and death (P = 0.006) of patients with bladder cancer. Moreover, low miR-31 expression clearly predicted poorer PFS (P = 0.001) and OS (P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, low miR-31 expression was an independent prognostic factor for both PFS (P = 0.01) and OS (P = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

These findings show that miR-31 may contribute to the progression of bladder cancer and its downregulation may be independently associated with unfavorable PFS and OS, suggesting that miR-31 might be a promising marker for further risk stratification in the treatment of this cancer.