scholarly journals Characterization of the 5′ Regulatory Region of the Human RGS4 Gene In Vitro

Author(s):  
Feng-ling Xu ◽  
Mei Ding ◽  
Ya Li ◽  
Jia-xin Xing ◽  
Jin-feng Xuan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In order to detect function of three SNPs (rs12041948, rs6678136 and rs7515900) in 5′ regulatory region of the human RGS4 gene, fragments of 5′ regulatory region of RGS4 (-1112–+365, TSS+1) was cloned into pGL3-Basic vector, and dual-luciferase reporter assay was conducted. We compared and analyzed the relative fluorescence intensities of eight haplotype recombined vectors. Results: In HEK-293 and SK-N-SH cells, the relative fluorescence intensities of haplotype 2 (ATA) was significantly increased when it was compared with haplotype 3 (ACA), 5 (ACC), 7 (GCA), and 8 (GCC). Therefore, haplotypes with C of rs6678136 decreased expression than theses with T. However, no significant difference was assessed in comparation among eight haplotypes, in the U87 cells. Conclusions: The mutant of T>C of rs6678136 might alter the binding of transcription factors to 5′ regulatory region of RGS4 gene, then change the expression. It was predicated that the rs6678136 might alter the binding region of GSX1, ALX3, BARHL1, and BARHL2. The binding is still worthy of further investigation.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiaochu Liu ◽  
Di Huo ◽  
Qunhui Wang ◽  
Chuanqi Lv ◽  
Ziqiang Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The proto-oncogene c-Myb plays an important role in the proliferation of cells and its upregulation affects the development of glioblastomas. G-quadruplexes are secondary structures of DNA or RNA that usually form in the promoter region of oncogenes, including c-Myb, and regulate the expression of these genes. The traditional Chinese medicine brucine is a ligand of G-quadruplexes located in the promoter region of c-Myb. In this study, the U87 cell line was used both in vitro and in vivo to investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of action of brucine. Methods: MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to determine the effect of brucine on the cell cycle, viability, and apoptosis of U87 cells. The effects of brucine on transcription and expression of c-Myb were determined through RT-PCR and western blotting. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry were used to investigate whether brucine acts directly and binds G-quadruplexes in the promoter region of c-Myb, respectively. Results: The results showed that brucine suppressed the growth of U87 cells in vitro by arresting the cell cycle and reducing the expression of c-Myb. Through the dual luciferase reporter assay, brucine was found to inhibit the expression of c-Myb by targeting the guanine-rich sequence that forms G-quadruplexes in the c-Myb promoter. Moreover, U87 tumors were suppressed by brucine in a tumor xenograft nude mice model. Conclusion: The findings of the study indicate that brucine is a potentially effective medicine for treatment of glioblastomas.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 153303382098010
Author(s):  
Chuan Cheng ◽  
Huixia Li ◽  
Jiujian Zheng ◽  
Jie Xu ◽  
Peng Gao ◽  
...  

Objective: LncRNAs are non-coding RNAs exerting vital roles in the occurrence and development of various cancer types. This study tended to describe the expression pattern of FENDRR in colorectal cancer (CRC), and further investigate the role of FENDRR in CRC cell biological behaviors. Methods: Gene expression profile of colon cancer was accessed from the TCGA database, and then processed for differential analysis for identification of differentially expressed lncRNAs and miRNAs. Some in vitro experiments like qRT-PCR, MTT, colony formation assay, wound healing assay and Transwell assay were performed to assess the effect of FENDRR on cell biological behaviors. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was conducted to further validate the targeting relationship between FENDRR and miR-424-5p, and rescue experiments were carried out for determining the mechanism of FENDRR/miR-424-5p underlying the proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC cells. Results: Bioinformatics analysis suggested that FENDRR was significantly down-regulated in CRC tissue, and low FENDRR was intimately correlated to poor prognosis. FENDRR overexpression could greatly inhibit cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Besides, there was a negative correlation between FENDRR and miR-424-5p. Dual-luciferase reporter assay indicated that miR-424-5p was a direct target of FENDRR. Rescue experiments discovered that FENDRR exerted its role in cell proliferation, migration and invasion in CRC via targeting miR-424-5p. Conclusion: FENDRR is poorly expressed in CRC tissue and cells, and low FENDRR is responsible for the inhibition of cell proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC by means of targeting miR-424-5p.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenkai Yang ◽  
Hanjian Tu ◽  
Kai Tang ◽  
Haozhong Huang ◽  
Shi Ou ◽  
...  

Backgroud: The metabolism of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is closely related to coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAHD), but the specific mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of EAT microenvironment on adipose metabolism from the viewpoint of EAT-derived exosomes and epicardial adipose stem cells (EASCs).Methods: EAT samples from CAHD patients and non-CAHD patients were collected to obtain exosomes via tissue culture. MiRNA sequencing was performed to analyze differences in miRNA expression in exosomes between groups. Luciferase reporter assay was then performed to verify the miRNA target gene. EAT was digested by collagenase to obtain EASCs, which were induced to mature adipocytes in vitro. Immunochemical staining and western blotting were performed to detect protein expression levels.Results: The results showed that CAHD patients had higher levels of EASCs in EAT, and no significant difference in the adipogenic differentiation ability of EASCs was observed between CAHD and non-CAHD patients in vitro. This indicates that the EAT microenvironment is a key factor affecting the adipogenic differentiation of EASCs. The EAT-derived exosomes from CAHD patients inhibited adipogenic differentiation of EASCs in vitro. Sequencing analysis showed that miR-3064-5p was highly expressed in EAT-derived exosomes in CAHD patients, and its inhibitor could improve the adipogenic differentiation of EASCs. Luciferase reporter assay results showed that the target gene of miR-3064-5p is neuronatin (Nnat). Nnat remained silent in EASCs and was less expressed in EAT of CAHD patients.Conclusion: Abovementioned results suggest that Nnat is the key to regulating the adipogenic differentiation of EASCs, and miR-3064-5p in EAT-derived exosomes can inhibit the expression of Nnat by targeting its mRNA, thereby affecting the adipogenic differentiation of EASCs.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Yuning ◽  
Chen Liang ◽  
Wang Tenghuan ◽  
Nan Zhenhua ◽  
Shengkai Gong

Abstract The aim of the study was to explore the function and mechanism of lincRNA PADNA in bupivacaine-induced neurotoxicity. Mouse DRG neurons were cultured in vitro and treated with bupivacaine to establish the neurotoxicity model. Caspase3 activity, cell viability, tunel assay were analyzed to assess the role of lincRNA PADNA. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to determine the binding target of lincRNA PANDA. The expression of lincRNA PADNA was significantly increased with the increasing concentration of bupivacaine. Functional analysis revealed that knockdown of lincRNA PADNA accelerated the caspase3 activity and inhibited the cell viability. Western blot showed that knockdown of lincRNA PADNA promoted the occurrence of cleaved-caspase3. We also proved that lincRNA PADNA may bind with miR-194. Overexpression of miR-194 could rescued the function of lincRNA PADNA, suggesting that lincRNA PADNA may sponge miR-194. In addition, we provided new evidences that lincRNA PADNA/miR-194/FBXW7 axis play an important role in the neurotoxicity process. We performed comprehensive experiments to verify the function and mechanism of lincRNA PADNA in bupivacaine-induced neurotoxicity. Our study provided new evidences and clues for prevention of neurotoxicity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 711-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Ta ◽  
Xiaoyi Huang ◽  
Kailian Zheng ◽  
Yunshuo Zhang ◽  
Yisha Gao ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of non-coding RNAs that play diverse roles in pancreatic carcinogenesis. In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), NF-kB is constitutively activated in most patients and is linked to a mutation in KRAS via IkB kinase complex 1 (IKK1, also known as IKKa). We investigated the link between PDAC aggressiveness and miR-1290. Methods: We used miRCURYTM LNA Array and in situ hybridization to investigate candidate miRNAs and validated the findings with PCR. The malignant behavior of cell lines was assessed with Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, and Transwell assays. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to evaluate the interaction between miR-1290 and IKK1. Protein expression was observed by western blotting. Results: In this study, 36 miRNAs were dysregulated in high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and PDAC tissues compared with low-grade PanIN tissues. The area under the curve values of miR-1290 and miR-31-5p were 0.829 and 0.848, respectively (95% confidence interval, 0.722–0.936 and 0.749–0.948, both P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between miR-1290 and histological differentiation (P = 0.029), pT stage (P = 0.006), and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.001). In addition, the in vitro work showed that miR-1290 promoted PDAC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Western blotting and the dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-1290 promoted cancer aggressiveness by directly targeting IKK1. The synergist effect of miR-1290 on the proliferation and metastasis of PDAC cells was attenuated and enhanced by IKK1 overexpression and knockdown, respectively. Consistent with the in vitro results, a subcutaneous tumor mouse model showed that miR-1290 functioned as a potent promoter of PDAC in vivo. Conclusion: MiR-1290 may act as an oncogene by directly targeting the 3’-untranslated region of IKK1, and the miR-1290/IKK1 pathway may prove to be a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for PDAC.


Reproduction ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 159 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-89
Author(s):  
Xiaoyan Li ◽  
Jinling Zhu ◽  
Jie Tian ◽  
Dongmei Li ◽  
Xiaodong Han ◽  
...  

Health risk of human exposure to microcystin-leucine arginine (MC-LR) has drawn more and more attention in recent years. In the present study, MC-LR inhibited miR-3473g expression of mouse granulosa cells both in vitro and in vivo. By dual-luciferase reporter assay, we confirmed miR-3473g is able to bind the 3′-UTR of StAR protein (StAR) mRNA and suppress StAR expression. Thus, downregulation of miR-3473g after MC-LR exposure led to StAR overexpression. Excessive StAR probably transported much more cholesterol into the inner membrane of the mitochondria and finally resulted in overproduction of progesterone. Our results revealed that MC-LR exposure was associated with premature luteinization of granulosa cells and may adversely affect women’s fertility.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang Zhang ◽  
Pan Li ◽  
Bi-li Zhang ◽  
Man-li Yu ◽  
Rong-liang Xu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background It has been shown that contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) could be attenuated by the administration of PGE1. As an enzyme responsible for the production of PGE1, PTGS1 is confirmed in this study as a miR-512 target. Meanwhile, HULC has been identified as a competing endogenous RNA of miR-512. Therefore, in this study, we tested the diagnostic value of HULC and miR-512 in subjects with or without CIN. In addition, we evaluated the regulatory relationship among HULC, miR-512, PTGS1 and PGE1 in vitro. Methods We enrolled 320 patients with coronary heart disease and divided them into a CIN group and a non-CIN group. Subsequently, we detected the differential expression of miR-512, HULC and PGE1 in the two groups. We also used a dual luciferase reporter assay to evaluate the regulatory relationship among HULC, miR-512, PTGS1 and PGE1 in THP-1 cells. Results In patients with CIN, the expression levels of HULC and PGE1 were lower, but the expression level of miR-512 was higher. MiR-512 could directly bind to and negatively regulate the expression of PTGS1 and HULC. The expression of HULC is positively correlated with the expression of PTGS1 and PGE1, while negatively correlated with the expression of miR-512. Conclusions MiR-512 is highly expressed in patients with CIN and promotes the progression of CIN by negatively regulating the expression of PTGS1 and HULC.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Ding ◽  
Yu Xia ◽  
Zhaoyan Yu ◽  
Jing Wen ◽  
Zhuxue Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background SNAI2, a member of the snail zinc finger protein family, plays an important role in the metastasis of several types of carcinoma. Objective This study aims to investigate the upstream miRNAs of SNAI2 and their influence on the metastasis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Methods The expression levels of SNAI2, CDH1, and CDH2 in GISTs were determined by immunohistochemistry, and the correlations with their clinicopathologic characteristics were analyzed. Subsequently, the miRNAs involved in regulating SNAI2 expression were predicted by bioinformatics technique, screened by miRNA microarray tests, and verified by real-time PCR, dual luciferase reporter assay, and invasion assay. The influence of SNAI2 and miRNAs on the invasive ability of the GIST cells and the related mechanism were detected. Outcomes SNAI2 expression significantly increased and CDH1 expression markedly decreased in the cases of GISTs with distant metastasis. Silencing of the SNAI2 gene impaired the invasiveness of GIST cells in vitro. MiR-200b-3p, miR-30c-1-3P, and miR-363-3P were verified as the upstream metastasis-associated miRNAs of SNAI2 in GISTs by miRNA microarray, real-time PCR, dual luciferase reporter assay, and invasion assay. They bound to the 3′-UTR of SNAI2, downregulated SNAI2 expression, and inhibited the invasiveness of GIST cells. SNAI2 targetedly bound to the promoter of the CDH1 gene, downregulated the expression of CDH1, and contributed to the metastasis of GISTs. Conclusion SNAI2 and CDH1 correlated with the metastasis of GISTs, and silencing of the SNAI2 gene impaired the invasiveness of GIST cells. MiR-200b-3p, miR-30c-1-3P, and miR-363-3P contribute to the metastasis of GISTs in vitro by mediating the SNAI2/CDH1 axis. SNAI2 may be a potential target for the treatment of GISTs in the future.


2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 870-883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxiao Tang ◽  
Wentao Jia ◽  
Xiaowen Niu ◽  
Lusha Wu ◽  
Hui Shen ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Iron overload (IO) is accompanied by hepatic inflammation. The chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) mediates inflammation, and its overexpression is associated with IO. However, whether IO results in CCL2 overexpression in the liver and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Methods: We subjected mice to IO by administering intraperitoneal injections of dextran-iron or by feeding mice a 3% dextran-iron diet to observe the effects of IO on miR-122/CCL2 expression through real-time qPCR and Western blot analysis. We also used indicators, including the expression of the inflammatory cytokine, the inflammation score based on H&E staining and the serum content of ALT and AST to evaluate the effects of IO on hepatic inflammation. Meanwhile, we observed the effects of vitamin E on IO-induced hepatic inflammation. In cells, we used 100 µΜ FeSO4 or 30 µΜ Holo-Tf to produce IO and observed the roles of miR-122 in regulating CCL2 expression by using miR-122 mimics or inhibitors to overexpress or inhibit miR-122. Then, we used a dual-luciferase reporter assay to prove that miR-122 regulates CCL2 expression through direct binding to its complementary sequence in the CCL2 mRNA 3’UTR. Results: IO induces the downregulation of miR-122 and the upregulation of CCL2, as well as inflammatory responses both in vitro and in vivo. Although IO-induced oxidative stress is eliminated by the antioxidant vitamin E, IO-induced hepatic inflammation still exists, which probably can be explained by the fact that vitamin E has no effects on the miR-122/CCL2 pathway. In in vitro experiments, the overexpression and inhibition of miR-122 significantly reduced and increased CCL2 expression, respectively. The dual-luciferase reporter assay indicates that miR-122 binds CCL2 mRNA 3’UTR. Conclusion: We propose the roles of miR-122/CCL2 in IO-induced hepatic inflammation. Our studies should provide a new clue for developing clinical strategies for patients with IO.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Wang ◽  
Dan Sun ◽  
Wenhui Li ◽  
Yan Xin

Abstract Background: Circular RNA (circRNA) has been reported as an important regulator in the development and progression of various carcinomas. However, the role of circRNA_100290 in gastric cancer (GC) is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of circRNA_100290 in GC invasion and metastasis and its possible mechanism.Methods: The expression of circRNA_100290 in GC cells and tissues were examined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The role of circRNA_100290 in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion was evaluated on AGS and HGC-27 cell lines in vitro. Bioinformatics tools, dual-luciferase reporter assay, Western blot assay and qRT-PCR were used to explore the downstream pathways of circRNA_100290. The mechanism underlying the regulation of the expression of circRNA_100290 was explored using RNA immunoprecipitation, qRT-PCR, and Western blot assays.Results: The expression of circRNA_100290 was found significantly upregulated in GC cells and 102 GC tissues, high expression of circRNA_100290 in GC was closely related to Borrmann’s types, lymph node metastasis and tumor-node-metastasis staging. In vitro, knockdown of circRNA_100290 in AGS and HGC-27 cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Mechanistically, dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed a direct binding between circRNA_100290 and miR-29b-3p, which targets ITGA11, an oncogene which is closely related to epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). In addition, EIF4A3, one of RNA binding proteins (RBPs), could inhibit the formation of circRNA_100290 via enriching flanking sites of circRNA_100290. Low expression of EIF4A3 in GC was related to a worse prognosis.Conclusions: Elevated circRNA_100290 in GC promotes cell proliferation, invasion and EMT via miR-29b-3p/ITGA11 axi and might be regulated by EIF4A3. CircRNA_100290 might be a promising biomarker and target for GC therapy.


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