scholarly journals METTL3 promotes colorectal carcinoma progression by regulating the m6A–CRB3–Hippo axis

Author(s):  
Jiashu Pan ◽  
Feng Liu ◽  
Xiaoli Xiao ◽  
Ruohui Xu ◽  
Liang Dai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the third most common cancer and second most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) N6-methyladnosine (m6A) and methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) play key roles in cancer progression. However, the roles of m6A and METTL3 in CRC progression require further clarification. Methods Adenoma and CRC samples were examined to detect m6A and METTL3 levels, and tissue microarrays were performed to evaluate the association of m6A and METTL3 levels with the survival of patients with CRC. The biological functions of METTL3 were investigated through cell counting kit-8, wound healing, and transwell assays. M6A epitranscriptomic microarray, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR, RNA stability, luciferase reporter, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays were performed to explore the mechanism of METTL3 in CRC progression. Results M6A and METTL3 levels were substantially elevated in CRC tissues, and patients with CRC with a high m6A or METTL3 levels exhibited shorter overall survival. METTL3 knockdown substantially inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells. An m6A epitranscriptomic microarray revealed that the cell polarity regulator Crumbs3 (CRB3) was the downstream target of METTL3. METTL3 knockdown substantially reduced the m6A level of CRB3, and inhibited the degradation of CRB3 mRNA to increase CRB3 expression. Luciferase reporter assays also showed that the transcriptional level of wild-type CRB3 significantly increased after METTL3 knockdown but not its level of variation. Knockdown of YT521-B homology domain–containing family protein 2 (YTHDF2) substantially increased CRB3 expression. RNA immunoprecipitation assays also verified the direct interaction between the YTHDF2 and CRB3 mRNA, and this direct interaction was impaired after METTL3 inhibition. In addition, CRB3 knockdown significantly promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells. Mechanistically, METTL3 knockdown activated the Hippo pathway and reduced nuclear localization of Yes1-associated transcriptional regulator, and the effects were reversed by CRB3 knockdown. Conclusions M6A and METTL3 levels were substantially elevated in CRC tissues relative to normal tissues. Patients with CRC with high m6A or METTL3 levels exhibited shorter overall survival, and METTL3 promoted CRC progression. Mechanistically, METTL3 regulated the progression of CRC by regulating the m6A–CRB3–Hippo pathway.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Liu ◽  
Xiaoli Xiao ◽  
Jiashu Pan ◽  
Ruohui Xu ◽  
Liang Dai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. RNA N6-methyladnosine (m6A) and methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) play an important role in cancer. However, the roles of m6A and METTL3 in CRC progression are still elusive. Methods Adenoma and CRC samples were applied to detect m6A and METTL3 levels, and tissue microarrays were performed to evaluate their associations with survival of CRC patients. The biological functions of METTL3 were investigated by CCK8, wound healing and transwell assays. M6A epitranscriptomic microarray, RNA stability and luciferase reporter assays were performed to explore the mechanism of METTL3 in CRC. Results m6A and METTL3 levels were significantly upregulated in both adenoma and CRC tissues, and the CRC patients with high m6A or METTL3 level had both shorter overall survival. METTL3 knockdown markedly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC cells. M6A epitranscriptomic microarray revealed that the cell polarity regulator Crumbs3 (CRB3) was the downstream target of METTL3. METTL3 knockdown markedly inhibited the degradation of CRB3 mRNA to increase the CRB3 expression. In addition, CRB3 level was also markedly reduced in both adenoma and CRC tissues, and the CRC patients with high CRB3 level had higher overall survival and disease free survival. CRB3 knockdown significantly promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC cells. Finally, CRB3 knockdown inhibited Hippo pathway, and increased nuclear localization of YAP. Conclusions The m6A and METTL3 levels were significantly increased in both adenoma and CRC tissues. The CRC patients with high m6A or METTL3 levels had shorter overall survival. Mechanistically, METTL3 regulated the initiation and progression of CRC via regulating m6A-CRB3-Hippo pathway.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huixian Zhang ◽  
Hao Zhang ◽  
Xingya Li ◽  
Siyuan Huang ◽  
Qianqian Guo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to exert crucial functions in regulating the progression of human cancers. However, the function and mechanism of long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 01089 (LINC01089) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not been revealed. Methods The expression level of LINC01089, microRNA (miRNA, miR)-152-3p and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted onc hromosome ten (PTEN) mRNA was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). After gain-of-function and loss-of-function models were established with NSCLC cell lines, the proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, scratch healing assay, Transwell assay, respectively. Dual luciferase reporter assay was employed to validate the binding relationship between miR-152-3p and LINC01089 or the 3’UTR of PTEN. Western blot was used to detect PTEN expression in NSCLC cells after LINC01089 and miR-152-3p were selectively modulated. Results LINC01089 was down-regulated in NSCLC tissues and cells. Functional experiments showed that knockdown of LINC01089 could promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells, while over-expression of LINC01089 had the opposite effects. miR-152-3p was identified as a functional target for LIN01089, and miR-152-3p could reverse the function of LINC01089. Additionally, LINC01089 could up-regulate the expression level of PTEN via repressing miR-152-3p. Conclusions Down-regulation of LINC01089 promoted the progression of NSCLC through regulating miR-152-3p/PTEN axis.


Author(s):  
Chenyu Ding ◽  
Xuehan Yi ◽  
Xiangrong Chen ◽  
Zanyi Wu ◽  
Honghai You ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Temozolomide (TMZ) resistance limits its application in glioma. Exosome can carry circular RNAs (circRNAs) to regulate drug resistance via sponging microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs can control mRNA expression by regulate the interaction with 3’UTR and methylation. Nanog homeobox (NANOG) is an important biomarker for TMZ resistance. Hitherto, it is unknown about the role of exosomal hsa_circ_0072083 (circ_0072083) in TMZ resistance in glioma, and whether it is associated with NANOG via regulating miRNA sponge and methylation. Methods TMZ-resistant (n = 36) and sensitive (n = 33) patients were recruited. The sensitive cells and constructed resistant cells were cultured and exposed to TMZ. circ_0072083, miR-1252-5p, AlkB homolog H5 (ALKBH5) and NANOG levels were examined via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of TMZ, cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion were analyzed via Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, wound healing and transwell assays. The in vivo function was assessed using xenograft model. The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) level was analyzed via methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP). Target relationship was investigated via dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation. Warburg effect was investigated via lactate production, glucose uptake and key enzymes expression. Exosome was isolated and confirmed via transmission electron microscopy and specific protein expression. Results circ_0072083 expression was increased in TMZ-resistant glioma tissues and cells. circ_0072083 knockdown restrained the resistance of resistant cells via decreasing IC50 of TMZ, proliferation, migration, invasion and xenograft tumor growth and increasing apoptosis. circ_0072083 silence reduced NANOG expression via blocking ALKBH5-mediated demethylation. circ_0072083 could regulate NANOG and ALKBH5 via targeting miR-1252-5p to control TMZ resistance. Warburg effect promoted the release of exosomal circ_0072083 in resistant cells. Exosomal circ_0072083 from resistant cells increased the resistance of sensitive cells to TMZ in vitro and xenograft model. Exosomal circ_0072083 level was enhanced in resistant patients, and it had a diagnostic value and indicated a lower overall survival in glioma. Conclusion Exosomal circ_0072083 promoted TMZ resistance via increasing NANOG via regulating miR-1252-5p-mediated degradation and demethylation in glioma.


BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caihong Wen ◽  
Xiaoqing Feng ◽  
Honggang Yuan ◽  
Yong Gong ◽  
Guangsheng Wang

Abstract Background Circular RNAs (circRNAs) feature prominently in tumor progression. However, the biological function and molecular mechanism of circ_0003266 in colorectal cancer (CRC) require further investigation. Methods Circ_0003266 expression in 46 pairs CRC tissues / adjacent tissues, and CRC cell lines was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR); after circ_0003266 was overexpressed or knocked down in CRC cells, cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were evaluated by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry, and Transwell assays, respectively; the interaction among circ_0003266, miR-503-5p, and programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) was confirmed using bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay; PDCD4 protein expression in CRC cells was quantified using Western blot. Results Circ_0003266 was significantly lowly expressed in CRC tissues and cell lines. Circ_0003266 overexpression markedly repressed CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and accelerated the cell apoptosis, but its overexpression promoted the malignant phenotypes of CRC cells. PDCD4 was a direct target of miR-503-5p and circ_0003266 promoted PDCD4 expression by competitively sponging miR-503-5p. Conclusion Circ_0003266 suppresses the CRC progression via sponging miR-503-5p and regulating PDCD4 expressions, which suggests that circ_0003266 may serve as a novel target for the treatment of CRC.


Pharmacology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Zhaohui Zhou ◽  
Ping Yang ◽  
Binming Zhang ◽  
Maohui Yao ◽  
Yali Jia ◽  
...  

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> In recent years, the regulatory activities of long noncoding RNAs have received increasing attention as an important research focus. This study aimed to characterize the expression and detailed roles of TTC39A antisense RNA 1 (TTC39A-AS1) in breast cancer (BC), in addition to concentrating on its downstream mechanisms. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Quantitative RT-PCR was performed to determine the expression levels of TTC39A-AS1, microRNA-483-3p (miR-483-3p), and metastasis-associated gene 2 (MTA2). Further, the detailed functions of TTC39A-AS1 in BC cells were confirmed using the Cell Counting Kit 8 assay, flow cytometric analysis, and Transwell cell migration and invasion assays. The targeting relationship between TTC39A-AS1, miR-483-3p, and MTA2 in BC was predicted via bioinformatics analysis and further confirmed by performing the luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation. <b><i>Results:</i></b> TTC39A-AS1 was present in high levels in BC; this result was confirmed in our sample cohort and The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Patients with BC with a high level of TTC39A-AS1 had a shorter overall survival than those with a low level of TTC39A-AS1. Functionally, the absence of TTC39A-AS1 accelerated cell apo­ptosis but retained cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Mechanistically, TTC39A-AS1 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA in BC by sponging miR-483-3p and thereby indirectly increasing MTA2 expression. Finally, rescue experiments revealed that the tumor-inhibiting actions of TTC39A-AS1 knockdown on the malignant characteristics of BC cells could be reversed by inhibiting miR-483-3p or upregulating MTA2. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The newly identified TTC39A-AS1/miR-483-3p/MTA2 pathway was revealed to be a critical regulator in the tumorigenicity of BC, possibly offering a novel therapeutic direction for the anticancer treatment of BC.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianjie Zhao ◽  
Xueqin Wang ◽  
Juan Jiang ◽  
Yao Ding ◽  
qinan wu

Abstract Background: CircRNAs feature prominently in breast cancer (BC) progression. This study was intended to investigate the role of hsa_circ_0000520 in BC progression.Methods: After the sample collection, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was conducted for quantifying the expressions of circ_0000520, miR-542-3p, and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) mRNA. 5‐Ethynyl‐2′‐Deoxyuridine (EdU) and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays were used for measuring cell proliferation. Transwell assays were employed to detect cell migration and invasion. Western blotting was utilized for analyzing S1PR1 protein expression. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were used to delve into the targeting relationship between circ_0000520 and miR-542-3p.Results: Circ_0000520 expression was markedly elevated in BC cell lines and tissues, and knockdown of circ_0000520 could inhibit BC cell multiplication, migration, and invasion. Circ_0000520 could target miR-542-3p to negatively regulate S1PR1 expression. S1PR1 overexpression plasmid could counteract the inhibitory effects of circ_0000520 knockdown on BC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.Conclusion: Circ_0000520, as a cancer-promoting circRNA, participates in BC progression by regulating miR-542-3p/S1PR1 axis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohui Duan ◽  
Wei Li ◽  
Peng Hu ◽  
Bo Jiang ◽  
Jianhui Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. The present study aimed to investigate the biological role of microRNA-183-5p (miR-183-5p), a novel tumor-related microRNA (miRNA), in HCC and illuminate the possible molecular mechanisms. The expression patterns of miR-183-5p in clinical samples were characterized using qPCR analysis. Kaplan–Meier survival curve was applied to evaluate the correlation between miR-183-5p expression and overall survival of HCC patients. Effects of miR-183-5p knockdown on HCC cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion capabilities were determined via Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assays, flow cytometry, scratch wound healing assays and Transwell invasion assays, respectively. Mouse neoplasm transplantation models were established to assess the effects of miR-183-5p knockdown on tumor growth in vivo. Bioinformatics analysis, dual-luciferase reporter assays and rescue assays were performed for mechanistic researches. Results showed that miR-183-5p was highly expressed in tumorous tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Elevated miR-183-5p expression correlated with shorter overall survival of HCC patients. Moreover, miR-183-5p knockdown significantly suppressed proliferation, survival, migration and invasion of HCC cells compared with negative control treatment. Consistently, miR-183-5p knockdown restrained tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, programmed cell death factor 4 (PDCD4) was identified as a direct target of miR-183-5p. Additionally, PDCD4 down-regulation was observed to abrogate the inhibitory effects of miR-183-5p knockdown on malignant phenotypes of HCC cells. Collectively, our data suggest that miR-183-5p may exert an oncogenic role in HCC through directly targeting PDCD4. The current study may offer some new insights into understanding the role of miR-183-5p in HCC.


2020 ◽  
pp. jim-2020-001537
Author(s):  
Shanshan Wu ◽  
Shimei Liu ◽  
Huaihua Song ◽  
Jiayu Xia

Circular RNA (circRNA) is an endogenous RNA molecule with a stable closed-loop structure. The circular RNA HIPK3 (circHIPK3) is highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma and facilitates tumor growth. However, its role in cervical cancer (CC) and its regulatory mechanisms are not well-studied. This study aimed for investigating the function of circHIPK3 on proliferation and metastasis of CC cells. In this study, quantitative real-time PCR assay was adopted to delve into the circHIPK3 expression in CC cell lines. Cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays were used to evaluate the influence of overexpression and knockdown of circHIPK3 on CC cell proliferation. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to probe into the binding of miR-485-3p to circHIPK3 and miR-485-3p to the 3’ untranslated region (UTR) of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), respectively. FGF2 protein expression was detected by western blot analysis. This study confirmed that circHIPK3 was highly expressed in CC tissues. Overexpressed circHIPK3 could remarkably expedite the proliferation, migration and invasion of SiHa cells, and knocking down circHIPK3 could significantly impede the proliferation, migration and invasion of HeLa cells. MiR-485-3p can directly bind to circHIPK3 and the 3’UTR of FGF2. Overexpression of circHIPK3 triggered the upregulation of FGF2 expression while knockdown of circHIPK3 reduced FGF2 expression in CC cells, and the transfection of miR-485-3p mimics reversed the upregulation of FGF2 expression and enhanced malignant phenotypes in CC cells with overexpressed circHIPK3.


2019 ◽  
Vol 167 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fu-Lai Pei ◽  
Ming-Zheng Cao ◽  
Yue-Feng Li

Abstract Accumulating researches have confirmed that circRNA abnormal expression plays a prominent role in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). The role of circ_0000218 in CRC and its potential mechanism are not clear. In this study, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to measure the circ_0000218, miR-139-3p and RAB1A mRNA expression in CRC tissues and cells. Immunohistochemistry and western blot were conducted to determine the RAB1A expression in CRC tissues and cells, respectively. Colony formation assay and BrdU method were employed to monitor the effect of circ_0000218 on cell proliferation. Transwell assay was adopted to detect cell migration and invasion. Dual luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay were adopted to confirm the targeting relationship between circ_0000218 and miR-139-3p, miR-139-3p and RAB1A. We demonstrated that circ_0000218 was notably upregulated in CRC tissues and cell lines, and its high expression level was markedly linked to the increase of T staging and local lymph node metastasis. Circ_0000218 overexpression enhanced the proliferation and metastasis of CRC cells while knocking down circ_0000218 caused the opposite effects. We also observed that miR-139-3p was negatively regulated by circ_0000218, while RAB1A was positively regulated by it. Collectively, this study suggested that circ_0000218 upregulated RAB1A and promoted CRC proliferation and metastasis via sponging miR-139-3p.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1644-1652
Author(s):  
Xueqin Pan ◽  
Dongchun Ma

Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant cancers with a poor survival rate and high mortality worldwide. MiRNAs have been evaluated as crucial regulators of human gene expression, and exerted vital role involved in cancer progression. MiR-302a-3p was aberrant expressed in cancers that include pancreatic cancer and hepatocellular cancer, but its biological role in lung cancer remains elusive. This study aimed to discover the role and potential mechanism of miR-302a-3p in lung cancer. The lung cancer cell line with the highest expression of miR-302a-3p was selected, which was then subjected to transfection of miR-302a-3p mimic. Quantitative RT-PCR was performed to detect gene expression. Western blot assay was performed to determine corresponding genes that related to cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion. Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8 assay, flow cytometry analysis, wound healing and Transwell assay were performed to detect cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion, respectively. Luciferase reporter assay was carried out to identify the targeting relationship of miR-302-3p and HOXA-AS2. MiR-302a-3p was downregulated in lung cancer cells, and overexpression of miR-302a-3p significantly suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion and promoted cell apoptosis. HOXA-AS2 was a direct target of miR-302a-3p and was regulated by miR-302a-3p. HOXA-AS2 was upregulated in lung cancer cells. Upregulated HOXA-AS2 could reverse the effect that overexpression of miR-302a-3p caused on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion. Overall, miR-302a-3p exhibited anti-oncogenic activity by inhibiting cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoting cell apoptosis in lung cancer by targeting HOXA-AS2, disclosing the role and regulatory mechanism of miR-302a-3p, which provided a promising therapeutic target for the clinical application of lung cancer treatment.


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