MicroRNA‑25/ATXN3 interaction regulates human colon cancer cell growth and migration

miR‑25‑3p serves as an oncogenic in colorectal cancer cells by regulating the ubiquitin ligase FBXW7 function

Accumulating evidence indicates that the dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs), is associated with human malignancies and suggests a casual role of miRNAs in tumor initiation and progression. Even though it has been discovered that a number of miRNAs play significant parts in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC), it is crucial to comprehend the regulatory functions that other miRNAs play in CRC. Based on GSE183437 and GSE156719 microarray data that were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus database, candidate miRNAs were researched. The oncogenic effects of miR‑25‑3p in different malignancies have led to its selection for additional investigation in the present study. The expression of miR‑25‑3p was verified by reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR, and its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics in patients with CRC was then investigated. In vitro assays were conducted to investigate the influence of miR‑25‑3p on the proliferative and apoptotic behaviors of HCT116 and Caco‑2 cells. The present data revealed that miR‑25‑3p exhibited one of the most significant upregulations in CRC tissues and cell lines. The expression levels of miR‑25‑3p were found to be intimately correlated with tumor size, distant metastasis, tumor‑node‑metastasis stage, and shorter overall survival rate. In terms of functionality, the downregulation of miR‑25‑3p led to the inhibition of cellular proliferation and the enhancement of apoptosis in both HCT116 and Caco‑2 cell lines. The critical tumor suppressor F‑box and WD repeat containing domain 7 (FBXW7) was identified as a direct molecular target for miR‑25‑3p, with an inverse relationship observed between the two in neoplastic tissues. Subsequent studies demonstrated that the tumor suppressive effects of miR‑25‑3p inhibitor were effectively negated by the silencing of FBXW7. Moreover, the ability of FBXW7 to inhibit the expression of several oncogenes was deemed essential for countering the anticancer effects mediated by miR‑25‑3p downregulation. These findings posit miR‑25‑3p as a promising therapeutic target and prognostic indicator for CRC.

Short Linear Motifs in Colorectal Cancer Interactome and Tumorigenesis

Colorectal tumorigenesis is driven by alterations in genes and proteins responsible for cancer initiation, progression, and invasion. This multistage process is based on a dense network of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) that become dysregulated as a result of changes in various cell signaling effectors. PPIs in signaling and regulatory networks are known to be mediated by short linear motifs (SLiMs), which are conserved contiguous regions of 3-10 amino acids within interacting protein domains. SLiMs are the minimum sequences required for modulating cellular PPI networks. Thus, several in silico approaches have been developed to predict and analyze SLiM-mediated PPIs. In this review, we focus on emerging evidence supporting a crucial role for SLiMs in driver pathways that are disrupted in colorectal cancer (CRC) tumorigenesis and related PPI network alterations. As a result, SLiMs, along with short peptides, are attracting the interest of researchers to devise small molecules amenable to be used as novel anti-CRC targeted therapies. Overall, the characterization of SLiMs mediating crucial PPIs in CRC may foster the development of more specific combined pharmacological approaches.

MJDs family members: Potential prognostic targets and immune-associated biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies. It is not easy to be diagnosed in the early stage and is prone to relapse, with a very poor prognosis. And immune cell infiltration and tumor microenvironment play important roles in predicting therapeutic response and prognosis of HCC. Machado-Joseph domain-containing proteases (MJDs), as a gene family extensively involved in tumor progression, has pro-cancer and anti-cancer effects. However, the relationship between MJDs family members and immune cell infiltration and tumor microenvironment in HCC remains unclear. Therefore, cBio Cancer Genomics Portal (cBioPortal), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), UALCAN, Human Protein Atlas (HPA), MethSurv, and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) databases were performed to investigate the mRNA expression, DNA methylation, clinicopathologic features, immune cell infiltration and other related functions of MJDs family members in HCC. The results indicated that the expression of ATXN3, JOSD1, and JOSD2 was dramatically increased in HCC tissues and cell lines, and was correlated with histological grade, specimen type, TP53 mutation, lymph node metastatic, gender, and age of patients with HCC. Meanwhile, these genes also showed clinical value in improving the overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), progression free survival (PFS), and relapse-free survival (RFS) in patients with HCC. The prognostic model indicated that the worse survival was associated with overall high expression of MJDs members. Next, the results suggested that promotor methylation levels of the MJDs family were closely related to these family mRNA expression levels, clinicopathologic features, and prognostic values in HCC. Moreover, the MJDs family were significantly correlated with CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells, B cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and DCs. And MJDs family members’ expression were substantially associated with the levels of several lymphocytes, immunomoinhibitors, immunomostimulators, chemokine ligands, and chemokine receptors. In addition, the expression levels of MJDs family were significantly correlated with cancer-related signaling pathways. Taken together, our results indicated that the aberrant expression of MJDs family in HCC played a critical role in clinical feature, prognosis, tumor microenvironment, immune-related molecules, mutation, gene copy number, and promoter methylation level. And MJDs family may be effective immunotherapeutic targets for patients with HCC and have the potential to be prognostic biomarkers.

Cancer Stem Cells in Tumor Microenvironment of Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach, Colon, and Rectum

Gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas are one of the world's deadliest cancers. Cancer stem cells and the tissue microenvironment are highly regulated by cell and molecular mechanisms. Cancer stem cells are essential for maintenance and progression and are associated with resistance to conventional treatments. This article reviews the current knowledge of the role of the microenvironment during the primary establishment of gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas in the stomach, colon, and rectum and its relationship with cancer stem cells. We also describe novel developments in cancer therapeutics, such as targeted therapy, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different treatments for improving gastrointestinal cancer prognosis.

LncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory axes in endometrial cancer: a comprehensive overview

INTRODUCTION

Recent research on tumorigenesis and progression has opened up an array of novel molecular mechanisms in the form of interactions between cellular non-coding RNAs (long non-coding RNA[lncRNA]/microRNA [miRNA]) and coding transcripts that regulate health and disease. Endometrial cancer (EC) is a prominent gynecological malignancy with a high incidence rate and poorly known etiology and prognostic factors that hinder the success of disease management. The emerging role of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interactions and their dysregulation in the pathophysiology of EC has been elucidated in many recent studies.

METHODS

A thorough literature review was conducted to explore information about lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA axes in EC.

RESULTS

Several lncRNAs act as molecular sponges that sequester various tumor suppressor miRNAs to inhibit their function, leading to the dysregulation of their target mRNA transcripts that contribute to the EC regulation.

CONCLUSIONS

This review summarizes these networks of molecular mechanisms and their contribution to different aspects of endometrial carcinogenesis, leading to a better conceptualization of the molecular pathways that underlie the disease and helping establish novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic intervention points to aid the curative intent of EC.

Inhibition of HDAC3 and ATXN3 by miR-25 prevents neuronal loss and ameliorates neurological recovery in cerebral stroke experimental rats

HDAC3 plays important role in regulating memory and plasticity of neurons. We studied the role of miR-25 against HDAC3-induced neuronal injury in acute ischemic stroke. Subjects reported for acute stroke were included in the study. The rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion was developed and received miR-25 agomir and antagomir treatments via intra-cerebroventricular injection. The brain tissues were processed and neuronal cells were isolated and submitted to oxygen glucose derivation-mediated injury. mRNA levels were studied by RT-PCR and protein levels by ELISA method. TUNEL and nuclear protein staining was done to find the ischemic area. Behavioral studies were carried out by Morris water maze test and beam balance test. Results suggested a significant increase in plasma miR-25 levels observed in acute ischemic stroke subjects. The levels of miR-25 were increased in the tissues of infarcted area of brain tissues of rats. However, the expression of miR-25 decreased in neuronal cells but increased in supernatant post-oxygen glucose deprivation. The treatment of miR-25 agomir decreased the infarct volume and apoptosis of neurons in MCAO rats, and it also improved the plasticity of neurons and axons, down-regulated ATXN3 and HDAC3 levels, and improved acetyl-H3K9 expression. In vitro outcomes suggested that miR-25 inhibited HDAC3 neurons and modulated the oxygen glucose deprivation injury in neurons. The treatment of RGFP966 increased the acetyl-H3K9 levels and prevented the miR-25 antagomir-induced injury. The study suggested miR-25 as an important predicting biomarker in acute ischemia injury. KEY POINTS: • HDAC3 is key regulator for neuronal health. • miR-25 was overexpressed in acute ischemic stroke condition. • miR-25 inhibits loss of neurons and provides neuronal recovery in animal model of stroke via inhibiting HDAC3 and ATXN3.

miRNA Clusters with Up-Regulated Expression in Colorectal Cancer

Simple Summary

As miRNAs show the capacity to be used as CRC biomarkers, we analysed experimentally validated data about frequently up-regulated miRNA clusters in CRC tissue. We identified 15 clusters that showed increased expression in CRC: miR-106a/363, miR-106b/93/25, miR-17/92a-1, miR-181a-1/181b-1, miR-181a-2/181b-2, miR-181c/181d, miR-183/96/182, miR-191/425, miR-200c/141, miR-203a/203b, miR-222/221, mir-23a/27a/24-2, mir-29b-1/29a, mir-301b/130b and mir-452/224. Cluster positions in the genome are intronic or intergenic. Most clusters are regulated by several transcription factors, and by long non-coding RNAs. In some cases, co-expression of miRNA with other cluster members or host gene has been proven. miRNA expression patterns in cancer tissue, blood and faeces were compared. The members of the selected clusters target 181 genes. Their functions and corresponding pathways were revealed with the use of Panther analysis. Clusters miR-17/92a-1, miR-106a/363, miR-106b/93/25 and miR-183/96/182 showed the strongest association with metastasis occurrence and poor patient survival, implicating them as the most promising targets of translational research.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies in Europe and North America. Early diagnosis is a key feature of efficient CRC treatment. As miRNAs can be used as CRC biomarkers, the aim of the present study was to analyse experimentally validated data on frequently up-regulated miRNA clusters in CRC tissue and investigate their members with respect to clinicopathological characteristics of patients. Based on available data, 15 up-regulated clusters, miR-106a/363, miR-106b/93/25, miR-17/92a-1, miR-181a-1/181b-1, miR-181a-2/181b-2, miR-181c/181d, miR-183/96/182, miR-191/425, miR-200c/141, miR-203a/203b, miR-222/221, mir-23a/27a/24-2, mir-29b-1/29a, mir-301b/130b and mir-452/224, were selected. The positions of such clusters in the genome can be intronic or intergenic. Most clusters are regulated by several transcription factors, and miRNAs are also sponged by specific long non-coding RNAs. In some cases, co-expression of miRNA with other cluster members or host gene has been proven. miRNA expression patterns in cancer tissue, blood and faeces were compared. Based on experimental evidence, 181 target genes of selected clusters were identified. Panther analysis was used to reveal the functions of the target genes and their corresponding pathways. Clusters miR-17/92a-1, miR-106a/363, miR-106b/93/25 and miR-183/96/182 showed the strongest association with metastasis occurrence and poor patient survival, implicating them as the most promising targets of translational research.

Machado-Joseph Deubiquitinases: From Cellular Functions to Potential Therapy Targets

Ubiquitination is known as important post-translational modification in cancer-related pathways. Human deubiquitinases (DUBs), with functions of modulating the ubiquitination process, are a family with about 100 proteins. They mainly function by cutting ubiquitin chains of the substrates. The Machado-Joseph domain-containing proteases (MJDs) is one of the sub-families of DUBs, consisting of four members, namely, Ataxin-3, Ataxin-3L, JOSD1, and JOSD2. Recent studies have provided new insights into biological functions of MJDs in the progression of Machado-Joseph disease or cancer diseases. In this review, we summarized the cellular functions and regulatory mechanisms of MJDs in Machado-Joseph disease and cancer pathways. Furthermore, we summarized MJDs genetic alterations in different human cancers by exploring the public databases (cBioportal). The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive account based on our current knowledge about emerging insights into MJDs in physiology and disease, which might shed light on fundamental biological questions and promise to provide a potential target for therapeutic intervention.