MiR-221 Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Migration via Targeting PHF2

MicroRNAs (MiRNAs), which regulate the gene expression leading to translational inhibition or mRNA degradation, are involved in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Previous studies have demonstrated that miR-221 was one of the most consistent overexpressed miRNAs in several types of cancer. However, the role of miR-221 in human liver cancer progression is not yet fully elucidated. Levels of miR-221 and plant homeodomain finger 2 (PHF2) expressions in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and cell lines were detected using western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Cell migration was studied using the transwell assays. A dual-luciferase reporter system was used to validate the target gene of miR-221. The results indicated that miR-221 promoted HCC cell migration. By performing subsequent systematic bioinformatic analyses, we found PHF2 was the target gene of miR-221 and the direct binding relationship was further validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. In addition, lower expression of PHF2 promoted HCC cell migration and linked to worse overall survival in HCC patients. Finally, the negative correlation between miR-221 and PHF2 expression levels in HCC specimens was further confirmed. Taken together, our findings implied that miR-221 could be a potential candidate for the therapeutics of HCC metastasis.

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MiR-188-3p and miR-133b Suppress Cell Proliferation in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Post-Transcriptional Suppression of NDRG1

Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment ◽

10.1177/15330338211033074 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

pp. 153303382110330

Author(s):

Zhenzhao Luo ◽

Yue Fan ◽

Xianchang Liu ◽

Shuiyi Liu ◽

Xiaoyu Kong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Cell Migration ◽

Cell Growth ◽

Suppressive Effect ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Invasion And Migration ◽

And Migration ◽

Cancer Tissues ◽

Suppress Cell Proliferation

Background: Previous studies reported that N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) was upregulated in various cancer tissues and decreased expression of miR-188-3p and miR-133b could suppress cell proliferation, metastasis, and invasion and induce apoptosis of cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanism of NRDG1 involved in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumorigenesis is still unknown. Methods: The expressions of miR-188-3p, miR-133b, and NRDG1 in HCC tissues and cells were quantified by qRT-PCR and Western blot. MTT assay and transwell invasion assay were performed to evaluate cell growth and cell migration, respectively. Luciferase reporter assay were performed to determine whether miR-188-3p and miR-133b could directly bind to NRDG1 in HCC cells. Results: The results showed that NRDG1 was upregulated and these 2 microRNAs were downregulated in HCC tissues. NRDG1 was negatively correlated with miR-188-3p and miR-133b in HCC tissues. MiR-188-3p and miR-133b were demonstrated to directly bind to 3′UTR of NRDG1 and inhibit its expression. Upregulation of miR-188-3p and miR-133b reduced NRDG1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, which consequently inhibited cell growth and cell migration. Conclusions: Our finding suggested that miR-188-3p and miR-133b exert a suppressive effect on hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation, invasion, and migration through downregulation of NDRG1.

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miR-335-5p Suppresses Gastric Cancer Progression by Targeting MAPK10

10.21203/rs.3.rs-52496/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yi Gao ◽

Yanfeng Wang ◽

Xiaofei Wang ◽

Changan Zhao ◽

Fenghui Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gastric Cancer ◽

Cell Cycle ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Target Gene ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Gastric Cancer Cells ◽

Aberrant Expression ◽

Related Target

Abstract Background: In recent years, many microRNAs(miRNAs) involved in cancer progression. The aberrant expression of miR-335-5p in tumorigenesis has been demonstrated. The present study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying miR-335-5p- regulated MAPK10 expression in human gastric cancer（GC）.Methods: The quantitative real-time PCR was used to study the level of miR-335-5p expression in gastric cancer cell lines and tissues. Subsequently, the MTT and cloning formation assays were used to detect cell proliferation, while transwell and wound-healing assays were used to identify invasion and migration of the gastric cancer cells. The correlation between the miR-335-5p and the cell cycle-related target gene mitogen‑activated protein kinase 10 (MAPK10) in gastric cancer was analyzed based on the website. In addition, the target gene of miR-335-5p was detected by luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR, and western blotting.Results: The miR-335-5p level was down-regulated in GC tissues and cell lines. Furthermore, miR-335-5p inhibited proliferation, migration of gastric cancer cells, and induced apoptosis. During the G1/S phase, miR-335-5p arrested the cycle of gastric cancer cells in vitro. The correlation between the miR-335-5p and the cell cycle-related target gene MAPK10 in GC was analyzed, MAPK10 was directly targeted by the miR-335-5p.Conclusion: These data suggested that miR-335-5p acts as a tumor suppressor, and go through the MAPK10 to inhibit the GC progression.

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Interfering with Long Non-Coding RNA FBXL19-AS1 Inhibits the Proliferation, Invasion and Migration of Hepatoma Carcinoma Cells via Targeting miR-541-5p

Journal of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering ◽

10.1166/jbt.2021.2777 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 2120-2127

Author(s):

Weijun Lu ◽

Qun Wang ◽

Changbo Fu

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Cell Migration ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Reporter Gene ◽

Malignant Tumors ◽

Human Life ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Luciferase Reporter Gene

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world, and the morbidity and mortality of HCC rate in the first few malignant tumors, seriously threatening the safety of human life. LncRNA is a hot topic in tumor research in recent years. The abnormal expression of LncRNA FBXL19-AS1 and its potential target as a tumor diagnostic marker have been confirmed in colon cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer, etc. However, the study on LncRNA FBXL19-AS1 in HCC has not been reported. Rt-qPCR was used to detect the expression of FBXL19-AS1 and miR-541-5p in HCC cell lines, and luciferase reporter gene was used to detect whether there were binding sites between LncRNA FBXL19-AS1 and miR-541-5p. Interfered with FBXL19-AS1 and overexpressed miR-541-5p were detected by cell transfection. Then CCK-8 and colony formation assay were used to detect cell viability and cell proliferation. Wound healing detected the rate of cell migration and Transwell detected the rate of cell invasion. Western blot was used to detect the expression of proteins related to cell migration and invasion. The expression of FBXL19-AS1 in HCC cell lines was significantly higher than that in normal liver cells (LO2). Moreover, FBXL19-AS1 can promote HCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Luciferase reporter gene confirmed the binding site between LncRNA FBXL19-AS1 and miR-541-5p. After interfering with the expression of FBXL19-AS1, miR-541-5p was significantly increased. Subsequently, overexpression of miR-541-5p can inhibit the expression of lncRNA FBXL19-AS11 and promote proliferation, migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma. So we can conclude that lncRNA FBXL19-AS1 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells through targeting miR-541-5p.

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Long non-coding RNA TUG1 promotes cell progression in hepatocellular carcinoma via regulating miR-216b-5p/DLX2 axis

Cancer Cell International ◽

10.1186/s12935-019-1093-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Qun Dai ◽

Jingyi Deng ◽

Jinrong Zhou ◽

Zhuhong Wang ◽

Xiao-feng Yuan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Noncoding Rna ◽

Critical Role ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Marked Rise ◽

Hcc Cells

Abstract Background Accumulating evidence indicates that the long noncoding RNA taurine upregulated gene 1(TUG1) plays a critical role in cancer progression and metastasis. However, the overall biological role and clinical significance of TUG1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unknown. Methods The expressions of TUG1, microRNA-216b-5p and distal-less homeobox 2 (DLX2) were detected by Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The target relationships were predicted by StarBase v.2.0 or TargetScan and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The cell growth, apoptosis, migration and invasion were detected by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), Flow cytometry and Transwell assays, respectively. All protein expression levels were detected by western blot. Tumor xenografts were implemented to explore the role of TUG1 in vivo. Results We found that there was a marked rise in TUG1 expression in HCC tissues and cells, and knockdown of TUG1 repressed the growth and metastasis and promoted apoptosis of HCC cells. In particular, TUG1 could act as a ceRNA, effectively becoming a sink for miR-216b-5p to fortify the expression of DLX2. Additionally, repression of TUG1 impared the progression of HCC cells by inhibiting DLX2 expression via sponging miR-216b-5p in vitro. More importantly, TUG1 knockdown inhibited HCC tumor growth in vivo through upregulating miR-216b-5p via inactivation of the DLX2. Conclusion TUG1 interacting with miR-216b-5p contributed to proliferation, metastasis, tumorigenesis and retarded apoptosis by activation of DLX2 in HCC.

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lncRNA TUG1-Mediated Mir-142-3p Downregulation Contributes to Metastasis and the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Targeting ZEB1

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry ◽

10.1159/000492517 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 48 (5) ◽

pp. 1928-1941 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Chuan He ◽

Zhigang Liu ◽

Li Jin ◽

Fang Zhang ◽

Xinhao Peng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Cell Migration ◽

Noncoding Rna ◽

Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Tumor Formation ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Mesenchymal Transition

Background/Aims: MicroRNA-142-3p (miR-142-3p) is dysregulated in many malignancies and may function as a tumor suppressor or oncogene in tumorigenesis and tumor development. However, few studies have investigated the clinical significance and biological function of miR-142-3p in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: The expression levels of taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1), miR-142-3p, and zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) were evaluated in HCC tissues and cell lines by quantitative real-time PCR. MTT and colony formation assays were used to detect cell proliferation ability, transwell assays were used to assess cell migration and invasion, and luciferase reporter assays were used to examine the interaction between the long noncoding RNA TUG1 and miR-142-3p. Tumor formation was evaluated through in vivo experiments. Results: miR-142-3p was significantly downregulated in HCC tissues, but TUG1 was upregulated in HCC tissues. Knockdown of TUG1 and upregulation of miR-142-3p inhibited cell proliferation, cell migration, cell invasion, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). miR-142-3p was found to be a prognostic factor of HCC, and the mechanism by which TUG1 upregulated ZEB1 was via direct binding to miR-142-3p. In vivo assays showed that TUG1 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation and the EMT in nude mice. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the TUG1/miR-142-3p/ ZEB1 axis contributes to the formation of malignant behaviors in HCC.

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LncRNA RHPN1-AS1 Promotes Cell Proliferation, Migration and Invasion Through Targeting miR-7-5p and Activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment ◽

10.1177/1533033820957023 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 ◽

pp. 153303382095702

Author(s):

Xue-zhen Song ◽

Xiao-ning Ren ◽

Xiao-jun Xu ◽

Xiao-xuan Ruan ◽

Yi-li Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Molecular Mechanism ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Cell Clone ◽

Mtor Pathway ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Gene Assay ◽

Hcc Cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a severe disease with high mortality in the world. Emerging evidence has suggested that lncRNAs play an important role in cancer progression, including HCC. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the effect of lncRNA RHPN1 antisense RNA 1 (RHPN1-AS1) on HCC and its underlying molecular mechanism. In this study, we evaluated the expressions of lncRNA RHPN1-AS1 and miR-7-5p by qRT-RCR in both HCC tissue and HCC cells. Our findings showed that lncRNA RHPN1-AS1 was upregulated in HCC tissue and HCC cells, while miR-7-5p was downregulated. LncRNA RHPN1-AS1 expression in HCC patients was closely related to vascular invasion, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) stage. Furthermore, we quantified cell clone-formation ability, proliferation, migration and invasion of HCCLM3 and MHCC97 H cells using several assays (colony formation assay, 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay and transwell assay, respectively). Functional experiments confirmed that silencing lncRNA RHPN1-AS1 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion in HCCLM3 and MHCC97 H cells. After that, bioinformatics analysis, dual luciferase reporter gene assay, qRT-PCR and western blot were used to investigate the molecular mechanism of lncRNA RHPN1-AS1 on HCC. Mechanistically, the rescue experiments demonstrated that miR-7-5p inhibitor reversed the inhibition effect of silencing lncRNA RHPN1-AS1 on HCCLM3 cells proliferation, migration and invasion. Moreover, silencing lncRNA RHPN1-AS1 also inhibited the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Taken together our findings demonstrated that lncRNA RHPN1-AS1 could facilitate cell proliferation, migration and invasion via targeting miR-7-5p and activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in HCC.

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lncRNA SNHG8 Promotes the Tumorigenesis and Metastasis by Sponging miR-149-5p and Predicts Tumor Recurrence in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry ◽

10.1159/000495871 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 51 (5) ◽

pp. 2262-2274 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Jiayong Dong ◽

Fei Teng ◽

Wenyuan Guo ◽

Jinghui Yang ◽

Guoshan Ding ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Lung Metastasis ◽

Tumor Recurrence ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Pcr Analysis ◽

Potential Candidate ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Hcc Cells

Background/Aims: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are aberrantly expressed in multiple malignant tumors involved in tumor growth and metastasis. Accumulating data show that small nucleolar RNA host gene (SNHG) 1/12/20 plays a key role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the molecular mechanisms by which SNHG8 contributes to HCC remain elusive and merit exploration. Methods: The association between SNHG8 expression and the clinicopathological characteristics and prognoses in HCC patients was analysed by using qRT-PCR analysis and the data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Cell growth and metastatic potential were determined by MTT, colony formation, Transwell assays, and the mouse xenograft tumor model and lung metastasis model. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers were detected by western blot analysis. The binding capacity of SNHG8 with miRNAs was evidenced by bioinformatic analysis and a luciferase reporter assay. In addition, the rescue experiments were performed based on co-transfection with sh-SNHG8 and a miR-149 inhibitor in HCC cells. Results: The expression levels of lncRNA SNHG8 were dramatically increased in HCC tissues and cell lines as compared with the adjacent normal tissues, and SNHG8 expression was an independent prognostic factor of tumor recurrence in HCC patients. Furthermore, knockdown of SNHG8 inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, and lung metastasis in vitro and in vivo, whereas overexpression of SNHG8 reversed these effects. SNHG8 acted as a sponge of miR-149 and counteracted the tumor suppressive effects of mi R-149 in HCC cells. Expression of phosphatase, Mg2+/Mn2+ dependent 1F, a target of R-149, displayed a negative correlation with miR-149 expression but a positive correlation with SNHG8 expression in HCC specimens. Conclusion: As lncRNA SNHG8 may promote HCC tumorigenesis and metastasis by sponging miR-149, it is a potential candidate marker and therapeutic target for HCC.

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A Double-Negative Feedback Interaction between MicroRNA-29b and DNMT3A/3B Contributes to Ovarian Cancer Progression

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry ◽

10.1159/000447926 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 39 (6) ◽

pp. 2341-2352 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Yue Teng ◽

Xiaohang Zuo ◽

Meng Hou ◽

Yan Zhang ◽

Chen Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Negative Feedback ◽

Cpg Island ◽

Immunohistochemical Analysis ◽

Binding Activity ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Double Negative ◽

Functional Roles ◽

Direct Binding

Background: Epigenetic abnormalities are increasingly observed in multiple malignancies, including epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), and their effects can be significantly counteracted by tumor-suppressor microRNAs, namely epi-miRNAs. Here, we investigated the role of miR-29b, a well-established epi-miRNA, in the DNA methylation regulation of EOC cells. Methods: The correlation between miR-29b and DNMT3A/3B expression was evaluated by RT-qPCR, western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis. The functional roles of miR-29b and DNMT3A/3B were tested by anti-miRs and microRNA precursors. A luciferase reporter assay was employed to detect the direct binding of miR-29b to DNMT3A/3B 3′ UTRs. Co-IP was utilized for investigating Id-1 binding activity. Results: miR-29b was negatively correlated with DNMT3A/3B expression at the cellular/histological levels. miR-29b silencing was correlated with increased DNMT3A/3B levels, whereasmiR-29b over-expression caused DNMT3A/3B down-regulation. Luciferase reporter assays confirmed that the miR-29b-mediated downregulation of DNMT3A/3Boccurred through the direct targeting of theirmRNAs'3'-UTRs,whereasBGS assays found that DNMT3A/3B knockdown increased miR-29b expression via CpG island promoter hypomethylation, thus suggesting a crucial crosstalk betweenmiR-29b and DNMT3A/3B via a double-negative feedback loop. Co-IP assay confirmed direct binding between DNMT3A and Id-1. Conclusion: Taken together, our study sheds light on a novel epigenetic circuitry regulating EOC progression and may provide novel options for miR-29b-based epi-therapeutic approaches for future EOC treatment.

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MicroRNA-936 Targets JAG1 and Inhibits the Proliferation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment ◽

10.1177/1533033820985785 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

pp. 153303382098578

Author(s):

Junmei Tian ◽

Yongfei Zhao ◽

Li Li ◽

Yanling Cui ◽

Yang Wu

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Cell Cycle ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Malignant Tumors ◽

Cell Counting ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Functional Study ◽

Functional Roles ◽

Anti Cancer ◽

Hcc Cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors. Investigating the underlying molecular mechanism is essential for the treatment and prognosis of HCC. Emerging evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) play pivotal roles in cancer progression. Down-regulation of miR-936 has been found in several cancers, which serves as a tumor suppressor to inhibit the development of cancers. However, the clinical significance and functional roles of miR-936 in HCC have not been determined. To explore this, the expression of miR-936 in HCC tissues and cells was detected by RT-qPCR. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, cell migration and cell cycle analysis were performed to evaluate the effects of miR-936 on the growth of HCC cells. The targets of miR-936 were predicted using the miRDB database and confirmed by luciferase reporter experiments. The protein expression of targets was determined by western blot. The results showed that miR-936 was significantly decreased in HCC tissues and cell lines. Low expression of miR-936 was associated with the advance progression and poor survival of HCC patients (P = 0.0036). Functional study revealed that overexpression of miR-936 inhibited the proliferation, migration (decreased to ∼0.26 fold) and induced cell cycle arrested in G1 phase (from 35.3% to 44.7%) of HCC cells. Additionally, miR-936 targeted the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of jagged-1 (JAG1) and reduced the expression of JAG1 (decreased to ∼0.35 fold). JAG1 was found to be up-regulated in HCC tissues and was inversely correlated with the expression of miR-936 (Pearson r = −0.4633; P = 0.0007). The anti-cancer effects of miR-936 on the proliferation of HCC cells were partially reversed by the rescue of JAG1. Therefore, these results suggested that miR-936 might be a potential target for HCC treatment.

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miR-362-3p acts as a tumor suppressor by targeting SERBP1 in ovarian cancer

Journal of Ovarian Research ◽

10.1186/s13048-020-00760-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shujun Cao ◽

Na Li ◽

Xihong Liao

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Target Gene ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Gynecological Cancer ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Loss Of Function

Abstract Background Ovarian cancer is the leading lethal gynecological cancer and is generally diagnosed during late-stage presentation. In addition, patients with ovarian cancer still face a low 5-year survival rate. Thus, innovative molecular targeting agents are required to overcome this disease. The present study aimed to explore the function of miR-362-3p and the underlying molecular mechanisms influencing ovarian cancer progression. Methods The expression levels of miR-362-3p were determined using qRT-PCR. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function methods were used to detect the effects of miR-362-3p on cell proliferation, cell migration, and tumor metastasis in ovarian cancer. A luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the potential target of miR-362-3p, and a rescue experiment was employed to verify the effect of miR-362-3p on ovarian cancer by regulating its target gene. Results miR-362-3p was significantly downregulated in ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines. In vitro, our data showed that miR-362-3p suppressed cell proliferation and migration. In vivo, miR-362-3p inhibited ovarian cancer growth and metastasis. Mechanistically, SERBP1 was identified as a direct target and functional effector of miR-362-3p in ovarian cancer. Moreover, SERBP1 overexpression rescued the biological function of miR-362-3p. Conclusions Our data reveal that miR-362-3p has an inhibitory effect on ovarian cancer. miR-362-3p inhibits the development and progression of ovarian cancer by directly binding its target gene SERBP1.

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