Circular RNA circVRK1 suppresses the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells by regulating zinc finger protein ZNF652 expression via microRNA miR-337-3p

Background/Aims: Zinc finger protein 667 (ZNF667) is a member of C2H2 zinc finger protein family. For the first time, we aim to analyze the expression pattern of ZNF667 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues; to explore its role in HCC tumorigenesis. Methods: Immuno-histochemistry was carried out to characterize the ZNF667 expression in paraffin-embedded HCC samples. The relationship between ZNF667 expression and the clinical, pathological data of the patients were analyzed. Human normal hepatocyte cells LO2 over expressing ZNF667 (LO2-ZNF667 cells), ZNF667 depleted hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells (HepG2-shZNF667 cells) were set up, their proliferation, migration and invasion abilities were analyzed. Xenograft nude mice were used to analyze the malignancy of HepG2-shZNF667 cells in vivo. Western blot was performed to analyze the expression of Bcl-2 and BAX in LO2-ZNF667 and HepG2-shZNF667 cells. Results: Increased ZNF667 was found via immuno-histochemistry in HCC. Enhanced ZNF667 expression was associated with tumor size, clinical stage and tumor differentiation. LO2-ZNF667 cells displayed increased and HepG2-shZNF667 cells decreased cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Xenograft experiments proved reduced malignancy of HepG2-shZNF667 cells in vivo. LO2-ZNF667 cells displayed increased Bcl-2 and decreased BAX protein expression. HepG2-shZNF667 cells displayed enhanced BAX and inhibited BCL-2 expression. Conclusions: ZNF667 is shown to be a new oncogene in HCC and it may serve as a new therapeutic target for HCC via enhancing BCL-2 and decreasing BAX expression.

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Zinc Finger Protein 521, Negatively Regulated by MicroRNA-204-5p, Promotes Proliferation, Motility and Invasion of Gastric Cancer Cells

Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment ◽

10.1177/1533033819874783 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 153303381987478 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Chen Huan ◽

Cai Xiaoxu ◽

Ren Xifang

Keyword(s):

Gastric Cancer ◽

Western Blot ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Zinc Finger ◽

Zinc Finger Protein ◽

Cell Counting ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Gastric Cancer Cells ◽

Finger Protein

Objective: This study aims to investigate the expression, role, and detailed mechanism of microRNA-204-5p and zinc finger protein 521 in gastric cancer. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was adopted to detect the expressions of zinc finger protein 521 in 82 cases of gastric cancer tissues. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of zinc finger protein 521 in gastric cancer cells and adjacent cells. Moreover, the correlation between zinc finger protein 521 and the prognosis of patients were also evaluated. Cell Counting Kit 8 assay and colony formation assay were performed to figure out the impact of zinc finger protein 521 on the proliferation of gastric cancer cells. By conducting flow cytometry, the effect of zinc finger protein 521 on the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells was determined. The scratch wound healing assay and transwell invasion assay were carried out to determine the effect of zinc finger protein 521 on regulating the motility and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Ultimately, the targeting relationship and interaction between microRNA-204-5p and zinc finger protein 521 were verified by real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Results: Compared with adjacent cells, zinc finger protein 521 was highly expressed in gastric cancer cells, which was related to TNM stage ( P = .0388), tumor size ( P = .0168), and local lymph node metastasis ( P = .0024). Overexpressed zinc finger protein 521 can promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells and inhibit the apoptosis. Zinc finger protein 521 is a target gene of microRNA-106-5p, and there was a negative correlation between the expression of zinc finger protein 521 and microRNA-204-5p. Conclusion: Zinc finger protein 521 can arrest the apoptosis and enhance the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells via regulating microRNA-204-5p. Our study may provide novel clues for the treatment of patients with gastric cancer.

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