Circ-CTNNB1 Drives Aerobic Glycolysis and Osteosarcoma Progression via m6A Modification Through Interacting With RBM15

Abstract Background In a previous study, we have identified that circ-CTNNB1 (a circular RNA derived from CTNNB1) drives cancer progression through the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in various tumors. However, the functions of circ-CTNNB1 in regulating osteosarcoma (OS, a highly malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents) remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to assess the role of circ-CTNNB1 in OS and identify the underlying mechanisms, which may contribute to the exploration of a potential therapeutic strategy for OS. Methods Circ-CTNNB1 was analyzed by qRT-PCR, and the results were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The interaction and effects between circ-CTNNB1 and RNA binding motif protein 15 (RBM15) were analyzed through biotin-labeled RNA pull-down and mass spectrometry, in vitro binding, and RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assays. In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to evaluate the biological functions and underlying mechanisms of circ-CTNNB1 and RBM15 in OS cells. Results Circ-CTNNB1 was highly expressed in OS tissues and predominantly detected in the nucleus of OS cells. Ectopic expression of circ-CTNNB1 promoted the growth, invasion, and metastasis of OS cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circ-CTNNB1 interacted with RBM15 and subsequently promoted the expression of hexokinase 2 (HK2), glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI), and phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) through N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification to facilitate the glycolysis process and activate OS progression. Conclusions These results indicate that oncogenic circ-CTNNB1 drives aerobic glycolysis and OS progression by facilitating RBM15-mediated m6A modification.

Download Full-text

RBMX suppresses tumorigenicity and progression of bladder cancer by interacting with the hnRNP A1 protein to regulate PKM alternative splicing

Oncogene ◽

10.1038/s41388-021-01666-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Qiuxia Yan ◽

Peng Zeng ◽

Xiuqin Zhou ◽

Xiaoying Zhao ◽

Runqiang Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bladder Cancer ◽

Alternative Splicing ◽

Rna Binding ◽

Aerobic Glycolysis ◽

Histological Grade ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Binding Motif ◽

Hnrnp A1

AbstractThe prognosis for patients with metastatic bladder cancer (BCa) is poor, and it is not improved by current treatments. RNA-binding motif protein X-linked (RBMX) are involved in the regulation of the malignant progression of various tumors. However, the role of RBMX in BCa tumorigenicity and progression remains unclear. In this study, we found that RBMX was significantly downregulated in BCa tissues, especially in muscle-invasive BCa tissues. RBMX expression was negatively correlated with tumor stage, histological grade and poor patient prognosis. Functional assays demonstrated that RBMX inhibited BCa cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion in vitro and suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistic investigations revealed that hnRNP A1 was an RBMX-binding protein. RBMX competitively inhibited the combination of the RGG motif in hnRNP A1 and the sequences flanking PKM exon 9, leading to the formation of lower PKM2 and higher PKM1 levels, which attenuated the tumorigenicity and progression of BCa. Moreover, RBMX inhibited aerobic glycolysis through hnRNP A1-dependent PKM alternative splicing and counteracted the PKM2 overexpression-induced aggressive phenotype of the BCa cells. In conclusion, our findings indicate that RBMX suppresses BCa tumorigenicity and progression via an hnRNP A1-mediated PKM alternative splicing mechanism. RBMX may serve as a novel prognostic biomarker for clinical intervention in BCa.

Download Full-text

CISD3 inhibition drives cystine-deprivation induced ferroptosis

Cell Death and Disease ◽

10.1038/s41419-021-04128-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

Author(s):

Yanchun Li ◽

Xin Wang ◽

Zhihui Huang ◽

Yi Zhou ◽

Jun Xia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lipid Peroxidation ◽

Cell Death ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Ectopic Expression ◽

Pathological Process ◽

Metabolic Reprogramming ◽

Regulatory Role ◽

Underlying Mechanisms

AbstractFerroptosis, a new form of programmed cell death, not only promotes the pathological process of various human diseases, but also regulates cancer progression. Current perspectives on the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Herein, we report a member of the NEET protein family, CISD3, exerts a regulatory role in cancer progression and ferroptosis both in vivo and in vitro. Pan-cancer analysis from TCGA reveals that expression of CISD3 is generally elevated in various human cancers which are consequently associated with a higher hazard ratio and poorer overall survival. Moreover, knockdown of CISD3 significantly accelerates lipid peroxidation and accentuates free iron accumulation triggered by Xc– inhibition or cystine-deprivation, thus causing ferroptotic cell death. Conversely, ectopic expression of the shRNA-resistant form of CISD3 (CISD3res) efficiently ameliorates the ferroptotic cell death. Mechanistically, CISD3 depletion presents a metabolic reprogramming toward glutaminolysis, which is required for the fuel of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Both the inhibitors of glutaminolysis and the ETC process were capable of blocking the lipid peroxidation and ferroptotic cell death in the shCISD3 cells. Besides, genetic and pharmacological activation of mitophagy can rescue the CISD3 knockdown-induced ferroptosis by eliminating the damaged mitochondria. Noteworthily, GPX4 acts downstream of CISD3 mediated ferroptosis, which fails to reverse the homeostasis of mitochondria. Collectively, the present work provides novel insights into the regulatory role of CISD3 in ferroptotic cell death and presents a potential target for advanced antitumor activity through ferroptosis.

Download Full-text

RBM24 exacerbates bladder cancer progression by forming a Runx1t1/TCF4/miR-625-5p feedback loop

Experimental & Molecular Medicine ◽

10.1038/s12276-021-00623-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yue-Wei Yin ◽

Kai-Long Liu ◽

Bao-Sai Lu ◽

Wei Li ◽

Ya-Lin Niu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Bladder Cancer ◽

Cell Fate ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Mrna Stability ◽

Feedback Loop ◽

Rna Binding ◽

Binding Motif

AbstractRNA–binding motif protein 24 (RBM24) acts as a multifunctional determinant of cell fate, proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation during development by regulating premRNA splicing and mRNA stability. It is also implicated in carcinogenesis, but the functions of RBM24 in bladder cancer (BC) remain unclear. In the present study, we revealed that RBM24 was upregulated in BC tissues. Importantly, we found that a higher level of RBM24 was correlated with poor prognosis in BC patients. Overexpression of RBM24 promoted BC cell proliferation, while depletion of RBM24 inhibited BC cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, RBM24 positively regulated Runx1t1 expression in BC cells by binding to and enhancing Runx1t1 mRNA stability. Furthermore, Runx1t1 in turn promoted RBM24 expression by interacting with the transcription factor TCF4 and suppressing the transcription of miR-625-5p, which directly targets RBM24 and suppresses RBM24 expression. RBM24-regulated BC cell proliferation was moderated via the Runx1t1/TCF4/miR-625-5p feedback loop. These results indicate that the RBM24/Runx1t1/TCF4/miR-625-5p positive feedback loop participates in BC progression. Disruption of this pathway may be a potential therapeutic strategy for BC treatment.

Download Full-text

Novel Findings of Anti-cancer Property of Propofol

Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1871520617666170912120327 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 156-165 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Jiaqiang Wang ◽

Chien-shan Cheng ◽

Yan Lu ◽

Xiaowei Ding ◽

Minmin Zhu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Anesthesia ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Intravenous Anesthetic ◽

The Past ◽

Anti Cancer ◽

Underlying Mechanisms ◽

Recent Attention

Background: Propofol, a widely used intravenous anesthetic agent, is traditionally applied for sedation and general anesthesia. Explanation: Recent attention has been drawn to explore the effect and mechanisms of propofol against cancer progression in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, the proliferation-inhibiting and apoptosis-inducing properties of propofol in cancer have been studied. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Conclusion: This review focused on the findings within the past ten years and aimed to provide a general overview of propofol's malignance-modulating properties and the potential molecular mechanisms.

Download Full-text

Diethyldithiocarbamate-copper complex (CuET) inhibits colorectal cancer progression via miR-16-5p and 15b-5p/ALDH1A3/PKM2 axis-mediated aerobic glycolysis pathway

Oncogenesis ◽

10.1038/s41389-020-00295-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xin Huang ◽

Yichao Hou ◽

Xiaoling Weng ◽

Wenjing Pang ◽

Lidan Hou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Copper Complex ◽

Aerobic Glycolysis ◽

Active Role ◽

Downstream Effector ◽

Glycolysis Pathway ◽

Colorectal Cancer Progression

AbstractExploring novel anticancer drugs to optimize the efficacy may provide a benefit for the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). Disulfiram (DSF), as an antialcoholism drug, is metabolized into diethyldithiocarbamate-copper complex (CuET) in vivo, which has been reported to exert the anticancer effects on various tumors in preclinical studies. However, little is known about whether CuET plays an anti-cancer role in CRC. In this study, we found that CuET had a marked effect on suppressing CRC progression both in vitro and in vivo by reducing glucose metabolism. Mechanistically, using RNA-seq analysis, we identified ALDH1A3 as a target gene of CuET, which promoted cell viability and the capacity of clonal formation and inhibited apoptosis in CRC cells. MicroRNA (miR)-16-5p and 15b-5p were shown to synergistically regulate ALDH1A3, which was negatively correlated with both of them and inversely correlated with the survival of CRC patients. Notably, using co-immunoprecipitation followed with mass spectrometry assays, we identified PKM2 as a direct downstream effector of ALDH1A3 that stabilized PKM2 by reducing ubiquitination. Taken together, we disclose that CuET treatment plays an active role in inhibiting CRC progression via miR-16-5p and 15b-5p/ALDH1A3/PKM2 axis–mediated aerobic glycolysis pathway.

Download Full-text

Splicing factor SRSF1 promotes breast cancer progression via oncogenic splice switching of PTPMT1

Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research ◽

10.1186/s13046-021-01978-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jun-Xian Du ◽

Yi-Hong Luo ◽

Si-Jia Zhang ◽

Biao Wang ◽

Cong Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

High Risk Group ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Binding Motif ◽

Ki 67 ◽

Tissue Samples

Abstract Background Intensive evidence has highlighted the effect of aberrant alternative splicing (AS) events on cancer progression when triggered by dysregulation of the SR protein family. Nonetheless, the underlying mechanism in breast cancer (BRCA) remains elusive. Here we sought to explore the molecular function of SRSF1 and identify the key AS events regulated by SRSF1 in BRCA. Methods We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the expression and clinical correlation of SRSF1 in BRCA based on the TCGA dataset, Metabric database and clinical tissue samples. Functional analysis of SRSF1 in BRCA was conducted in vitro and in vivo. SRSF1-mediated AS events and their binding motifs were identified by RNA-seq, RNA immunoprecipitation-PCR (RIP-PCR) and in vivo crosslinking followed by immunoprecipitation (CLIP), which was further validated by the minigene reporter assay. PTPMT1 exon 3 (E3) AS was identified to partially mediate the oncogenic role of SRSF1 by the P-AKT/C-MYC axis. Finally, the expression and clinical significance of these AS events were validated in clinical samples and using the TCGA database. Results SRSF1 expression was consistently upregulated in BRCA samples, positively associated with tumor grade and the Ki-67 index, and correlated with poor prognosis in a hormone receptor-positive (HR+) cohort, which facilitated proliferation, cell migration and inhibited apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. We identified SRSF1-mediated AS events and discovered the SRSF1 binding motif in the regulation of splice switching of PTPMT1. Furthermore, PTPMT1 splice switching was regulated by SRSF1 by binding directly to its motif in E3 which partially mediated the oncogenic role of SRSF1 by the AKT/C-MYC axis. Additionally, PTPMT1 splice switching was validated in tissue samples of BRCA patients and using the TCGA database. The high-risk group, identified by AS of PTPMT1 and expression of SRSF1, possessed poorer prognosis in the stage I/II TCGA BRCA cohort. Conclusions SRSF1 exerts oncogenic roles in BRCA partially by regulating the AS of PTPMT1, which could be a therapeutic target candidate in BRCA and a prognostic factor in HR+ BRCA patient.

Download Full-text

TOP1MT deficiency promotes GC invasion and migration via the enhancements of LDHA expression and aerobic glycolysis

Endocrine Related Cancer ◽

10.1530/erc-17-0058 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 24 (11) ◽

pp. 565-578 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Hongqiang Wang ◽

Rui Zhou ◽

Li Sun ◽

Jianling Xia ◽

Xuchun Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Progression ◽

Topoisomerase I ◽

Target Genes ◽

Aerobic Glycolysis ◽

Lactate Production ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Glucose Transporter 1 ◽

Mesenchymal Transition

Aerobic glycolysis plays an important role in cancer progression. New target genes regulating cancer aerobic glycolysis must be explored to improve patient prognosis. Mitochondrial topoisomerase I (TOP1MT) deficiency suppresses glucose oxidative metabolism but enhances glycolysis in normal cells. Here, we examined the role of TOP1MT in gastric cancer (GC) and attempted to determine the underlying mechanism. Using in vitro and in vivo experiments and analyzing the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with GC, we found that TOP1MT expression was lower in GC samples than in adjacent nonmalignant tissues. TOP1MT knockdown significantly promoted GC migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, TOP1MT silencing increased glucose consumption, lactate production, glucose transporter 1 expression and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in GC. Additionally, regulation of glucose metabolism induced by TOP1MT was significantly associated with lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) expression. A retrospective analysis of clinical data from 295 patients with GC demonstrated that low TOP1MT expression was associated with lymph node metastasis, recurrence and high mortality rates. TOP1MT deficiency enhanced glucose aerobic glycolysis by stimulating LDHA to promote GC progression.

Download Full-text

KCNQ1OT1 accelerates gastric cancer progression via miR-4319/DRAM2 axis

International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology ◽

10.1177/2058738420954598 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 34 ◽

pp. 205873842095459

Author(s):

Jijun Wang ◽

Fan Wu ◽

Yaoyao Li ◽

Lei Pang ◽

Xiaohong Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gastric Cancer ◽

Cell Growth ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Promising Target ◽

Tumor Tissues ◽

Rna Immunoprecipitation ◽

Opposite Strand ◽

Underlying Mechanisms

Introduction: This work was to explore the connection of KCNQ1 opposite strand/antisense transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) and microRNA-4319 (miR-4319), and to investigate the associated underlying mechanisms in gastric cancer (GC) progression. Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to measure KCNQ1OT1, miR-4319 and DNA-damage regulated autophagy modulator 2 (DRAM2) expression levels in GC cells. Moreover, expression level of KCNQ1OT1 and DRAM2 in GC tissues was analyzed at ENCORI website ( http://starbase.sysu.edu.cn/index.php ). Cell proliferation, colony formation assay and flow cytometry assays were performed to analyze effects of KCNQ1OT1, miR-4319 and DRAM2 on cell growth and death. Dual-luciferase activity reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay was conducted to verify the interactions of KCNQ1OT1 or DRAM2 and miR-4319. Results and Conclusion: We found KCNQ1OT1 level was increased in tumor tissues and cells. Force the expression of KCNQ1OT1 promotes, while knockdown KCNQ1OT1 inhibits GC cell growth. Further studies indicated miR-4319 functioned as a bridge between KCNQ1OT1 and DRAM2. Finally, we showed KCNQ1OT1/miR-4319/DRAM2 axis regulates GC cell growth in vitro and in vivo. lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 promotes GC progression by sponging miR-4319 to upregulate DRAM2, indicating KCNQ1OT1 might be a promising target for GC treatment.

Download Full-text

Therapeutic modulation of RNA-binding protein Rbm38 facilitates re-endothelialization after arterial injury

Cardiovascular Research ◽

10.1093/cvr/cvz063 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 115 (12) ◽

pp. 1804-1810 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kristina Sonnenschein ◽

Jan Fiedler ◽

Angelika Pfanne ◽

Annette Just ◽

Saskia Mitzka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cells ◽

Balloon Angioplasty ◽

Carotid Arteries ◽

Rna Binding ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Binding Motif ◽

Cell Functions ◽

Endothelial Regeneration

Abstract Aims Delayed re-endothelialization after balloon angioplasty in patients with coronary or peripheral artery disease impairs vascular healing and leads to neointimal proliferation. In the present study, we examined the effect of RNA-binding motif protein 38 (Rbm38) during re-endothelialization in a murine model of experimental vascular injury. Methods and results Left common carotid arteries of C57BL/6 mice were electrically denudated and endothelial regeneration was evaluated. Profiling of RNA-binding proteins revealed dysregulated expression of Rbm38 in the denudated and regenerated areas. We next tested the importance of Rbm38 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECS) and analysed its effects on cellular proliferation, migration and apoptosis. Rbm38 silencing in vitro demonstrated important beneficial functional effects on migratory capacity and proliferation of endothelial cells. In vivo, local silencing of Rbm38 also improved re-endothelialization of denuded carotid arteries. Luciferase reporter assay identified miR-98 and let-7f to regulate Rbm38 and the positive proliferative properties of Rbm38 silencing in vitro and in vivo were mimicked by therapeutic overexpression of these miRNAs. Conclusion The present data identified Rbm38 as an important factor of the regulation of various endothelial cell functions. Local inhibition of Rbm38 as well as overexpression of the upstream regulators miR-98 and let-7f improved endothelial regeneration in vivo and thus may be a novel therapeutic entry point to avoid endothelial damage after balloon angioplasty.

Download Full-text

miR551b Regulates Colorectal Cancer Progression by Targeting the ZEB1 Signaling Axis

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers11050735 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 735 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kwang Seock Kim ◽

Dongjun Jeong ◽

Ita Novita Sari ◽

Yoseph Toni Wijaya ◽

Nayoung Jun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Ectopic Expression ◽

Xenograft Model ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Normal Tissues

Our current understanding of the role of microRNA 551b (miR551b) in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) remains limited. Here, studies using both ectopic expression of miR551b and miR551b mimics revealed that miR551b exerts a tumor suppressive effect in CRC cells. Specifically, miR551b was significantly downregulated in both patient-derived CRC tissues and CRC cell lines compared to normal tissues and non-cancer cell lines. Also, miR551b significantly inhibited the motility of CRC cells in vitro, including migration, invasion, and wound healing rates, but did not affect cell proliferation. Mechanistically, miR551b targets and inhibits the expression of ZEB1 (Zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1), resulting in the dysregulation of EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal transition) signatures. More importantly, miR551b overexpression was found to reduce the tumor size in a xenograft model of CRC cells in vivo. Furthermore, bioinformatic analyses showed that miR551b expression levels were markedly downregulated in the advanced-stage CRC tissues compared to normal tissues, and ZEB1 was associated with the disease progression in CRC patients. Our findings indicated that miR551b could serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker and could be utilized to improve the therapeutic outcomes of CRC patients.

Download Full-text