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Chen Q, Wang H, Li Z, Li F, Liang L, Zou Y, Shen H, Li J, Xia Y, Cheng Z, Yang T, Wang K, Shen F. Circular RNA ACTN4 promotes intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma progression by recruiting YBX1 to initiate FZD7 transcription. J Hepatol 2022; 76:135-147. [PMID: 34509526 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a primary liver cancer with high aggressiveness and extremely poor prognosis. The role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in ICC carcinogenesis and progression remains to be determined. METHODS CircRNA microarray was performed to screen significantly upregulated circRNAs in paired ICC and non-tumor tissues. Colony formation, transwell, and xenograft models were used to examine the role of circRNAs in ICC proliferation and metastasis. RNA pulldown, mass spectrometry, chromatin immunoprecipitation, RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation, chromatin isolation by RNA purification, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and luciferase reporter assays were used to explore the molecular sponge role of the circRNA (via miRNA binding), and the interaction between circRNA and RNA-binding proteins. RESULTS Hsa_circ_0050898, which originated from exon 1 to exon 20 of the ACTN4 gene (named circACTN4), was significantly upregulated in ICC. High circACTN4 expression was associated with enhanced tumor proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo, as well as a worse prognosis following ICC resection. In addition, circACTN4 upregulated Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) expression by sponging miR-424-5p. More importantly, circACTN4 also recruited Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1) to stimulate Frizzled-7 (FZD7) transcription. Furthermore, circACTN4 overexpression in ICC cells enhanced the interaction between YAP1 and β-catenin, which are the core components of the Hippo and Wnt signaling pathways, respectively. CONCLUSIONS CircACTN4 was upregulated in ICC and promoted ICC proliferation and metastasis by acting as a molecular sponge of miR-424-5p, as well as by interacting with YBX1 to transcriptionally activate FZD7. These results suggest that circACTN4 is a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for ICC. LAY SUMMARY Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a primary liver cancer associated with aggressiveness and extremely poor prognosis. It is essential for therapeutic development that we uncover relevant pathogenic pathways. Herein, we showed that a circular RNA (circACTN4) was highly expressed in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and was positively associated with tumor growth and metastasis through key developmental signaling pathways. Thus, circACTN4 could be a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinjunjie Chen
- Department of Hepatic Surgery IV, the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haibo Wang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery IV, the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Hepatic Surgery IV, the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fengwei Li
- Department of Hepatic Surgery IV, the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China; Department of Hepatic Surgery II, the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Leilei Liang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Cancer Institute and Hospital: Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yiran Zou
- Department of Hepatic Surgery IV, the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Shen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Hepatic Surgery IV, the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Xia
- Department of Hepatic Surgery IV, the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhangjun Cheng
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tian Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kui Wang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery II, the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Shen
- Department of Hepatic Surgery IV, the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
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Louis C, Coulouarn C. One stone, two birds: circACTN4, a nexus for a coordinated activation of Hippo and Wnt/β-catenin pathways in cholangiocarcinoma. J Hepatol 2022; 76:8-10. [PMID: 34653593 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Corentin Louis
- Inserm, Univ Rennes 1, UMR_S 1242, COSS (Chemistry, Oncogenesis Stress Signaling), Centre de Lutte contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France
| | - Cédric Coulouarn
- Inserm, Univ Rennes 1, UMR_S 1242, COSS (Chemistry, Oncogenesis Stress Signaling), Centre de Lutte contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France.
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