Molecular Characterization of the Oncogene BTF3 and Its Targets in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed and leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide, and the prognosis of patients with CRC remains unsatisfactory. Basic transcription factor 3 (BTF3) is an oncogene and hazardous prognosticator in CRC. Although two distinct functional mechanisms of BTF3 in different cancer types have been reported, its role in CRC is still unclear. In this study, we aimed to molecularly characterize the oncogene BTF3 and its targets in CRC. Here, we first identified the transcriptional targets of BTF3 by applying combined RNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq analysis, identifying CHD1L as a transcriptional target of BTF3. Thereafter, we conducted immunoprecipitation (IP)-MS and E3 ubiquitin ligase analysis to identify potential interacting targets of BTF3 as a subunit of the nascent-polypeptide-associated complex (NAC). The analysis revealed that BTF3 might also inhibit E3 ubiquitin ligase HERC2-mediated p53 degradation. Finally, miRNAs targeting BTF3 were predicted and validated. Decreased miR-497-5p expression is responsible for higher levels of BTF3 post-transcriptionally. Collectively, we concluded that BTF3 is an oncogene, and there may exist a transcription factor and NAC-related proteolysis mechanism in CRC. This study provides a comprehensive basis for understanding the oncogenic mechanisms of BTF3 in CRC.

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Identification of Potential Key lncRNAs in the Context of Mouse Myeloid Differentiation by Systematic Transcriptomics Analysis

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes12050630 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 630

Author(s):

Yongqing Lan ◽

Meng Li ◽

Shuangli Mi

Keyword(s):

Transcription Factor ◽

Cell Model ◽

Myeloid Differentiation ◽

Rna Seq ◽

Hematopoietic Differentiation ◽

Granulocytic Differentiation ◽

Expression Of Genes ◽

Non Coding Rnas

Hematopoietic differentiation is a well-orchestrated process by many regulators such as transcription factor and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). However, due to the large number of lncRNAs and the difficulty in determining their roles, the study of lncRNAs is a considerable challenge in hematopoietic differentiation. Here, through gene co-expression network analysis over RNA-seq data generated from representative types of mouse myeloid cells, we obtained a catalog of potential key lncRNAs in the context of mouse myeloid differentiation. Then, employing a widely used in vitro cell model, we screened a novel lncRNA, named Gdal1 (Granulocytic differentiation associated lncRNA 1), from this list and demonstrated that Gdal1 was required for granulocytic differentiation. Furthermore, knockdown of Cebpe, a principal transcription factor of granulocytic differentiation regulation, led to down-regulation of Gdal1, but not vice versa. In addition, expression of genes involved in myeloid differentiation and its regulation, such as Cebpa, were influenced in Gdal1 knockdown cells with differentiation blockage. We thus systematically identified myeloid differentiation associated lncRNAs and substantiated the identification by investigation of one of these lncRNAs on cellular phenotype and gene regulation levels. This study promotes our understanding of the regulation of myeloid differentiation and the characterization of roles of lncRNAs in hematopoietic system.

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