GFI1-Mediated Upregulation of LINC00675 as a ceRNA Restrains Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis by Sponging miR-942-5p

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant liver tumor worldwide. Tumor recurrence and metastasis contribute to the bad clinical outcome of HCC patients. Substantial studies have displayed lncRNAs modulate various tumorigenic processes of many cancers. Our current work was aimed to investigate the function of LINC00675 in HCC and to recognize the potential interactions between lncRNAs and microRNAs. GFI1 can exhibit a significant role in the progression of human malignant tumors. Firstly, GFI1 was identified using real-time PCR in HCC tissues and cells. In this work, we indicated GFI1 was remarkably reduced in HCC tissues and cells. Meanwhile, GFI1 specifically interacted with the promoter of LINC00675. Up-regulation of LINC00675 obviously repressed the migration and invasion capacity of SMCC-7721 and QGY-7703 cells in vitro. Moreover, decrease of LINC00675 competitively bound to miR-942-5p that contributed to the miRNA-mediated degradation of GFI1, thus facilitated HCC metastasis. The ceRNA function of LINC00675 in HCC cells was assessed and confirmed using RNA immunoprecipitation assay and RNA pull-down assays in our work. Additionally, we proved overexpression of miR-942-5p promoted HCC progression, which was reversed by the up-regulation of GFI1. In summary, LINC00675 might act as a prognostic marker for HCC, which can inhibit HCC development via regulating miR-942-5p and GFI1.

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Long Non-Coding RNA NEAT1 Promotes HCC Progression via PKM2 and Exosome-Mediated Transfer

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1038606/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Junping Pan ◽

Yingzhe Hu ◽

Chenlu Yuan ◽

Yafu Wu ◽

Xinhua Zhu

Keyword(s):

Malignant Tumors ◽

Xenograft Model ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Mouse Xenograft Model ◽

Rna Immunoprecipitation ◽

Tumor Growth And Metastasis ◽

Lncrna Neat1 ◽

Hcc Cells

Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors with high mortality and poor prognosis. Long non-coding RNAs NEAT1 (lncRNA NEAT1) have been found to play an important role in HCC progression. However, the role and potential molecular mechanism of lncRNA NEAT1 in HCC remain largely unclear. Methods The role of lncRNA NEAT1 both in vitro and in vivo was investigated, with RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays being performed to determine the interaction among NEAT1 and FOXO3 and PKM2. In addition, HCC cells were treated with exosomes derived from NEAT1-overexpressing HCC cells, and then cell proliferation, migration and invasion were assessed using in vitro assays. Results In this study, overexpression of NEAT1 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells, whereas NEAT1 knockdown exhibited the opposite effects. Mechanistically, NEAT1 was found to recruit transcription factor FOXO3 to PKM2 promoter region and upregulate PKM2 expression. Meanwhile, overexpression of NEAT1 increased tumor growth and metastasis in a mouse xenograft model of HCC in vivo via upregulation of PKM2. Furthermore, overexpression of NEAT1 promoted exosome release from HCC cells. Exosomes secreted from NEAT1-overexpressing HCC cells promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells. Conclusion We found that NEAT1 could promote HCC progression via upregulation of PKM2 and exosome-mediated transfer. These data indicated that NEAT1 may be a therapeutic target in HCC.

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SRSF1 promotes the inclusion of exon 3 of SRA1 and the invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by interacting with exon 3 of SRA1pre-mRNA

Cell Death Discovery ◽

10.1038/s41420-021-00498-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sijia Lei ◽

Bin Zhang ◽

Luyuan Huang ◽

Ziyou Zheng ◽

Shaohan Xie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Tumor Invasion ◽

Carcinoma Cells ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Regulated Expression ◽

Rna Immunoprecipitation ◽

Hcc Cells

AbstractSteroid receptor RNA activator 1 (SRA1) has been described as a novel transcriptional co-activator that affects the migration of cancer cells. Through RT-PCR, we identified that skipping exon 3 of SRA1 produces two isoforms, including the truncated short isoform, SRA1-S, and the long isoform, SRA1-L. However, the effect of these two isomers on the migration of HCC cells, as well as the specific mechanism of exon 3 skipping remain unclear. In this study, we found up regulated expression of SRSF1 and SRA1-L in highly metastatic HCCLM3, as well as in HCCs with SRSF1 demonstrating the strongest correlation with SRA1-L. In contrast, we observed a constitutively low expression of SRA1-S and SRSF1 in lowly metastatic HepG2 cells. Overexpression of SRSF1 or SRA1-L promoted migration and invasion by increasing the expression of CD44, while SRA1-S reversed the effect of SRSF1 and SRA1-L in vitro. In addition, lung metastasis in mice revealed that, knockdown of SRSF1 or SRA1-L inhibited the migration of HCC cells, while SRA1-L overexpression abolished the effect of SRSF1 knockout and instead promoted HCC cells migration in vivo. More importantly, RNA immunoprecipitation and Cross-link immunoprecipitation analyses showed that SRSF1 interacts with exon 3 of SRA1 to up regulate the expression of SRA1-L in HCC cells. RNA pull-down results indicated that SRSF1 could also bind to exon 3 of SRA1 in vitro. Finally, minigene -MS2 mutation experiments showed that mutation of the SRA1 exon 3 binding site for SRSF1 prevented the binding of SRA1 pre-mRNA. In summary, our results provide experimental evidence that SRA1 exon 3 inclusion is up regulated by SRSF1 to promote tumor invasion and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

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LINC00221 silencing prevents the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through let-7a-5p-targeted inhibition of MMP11

Cancer Cell International ◽

10.1186/s12935-021-01819-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lin Yang ◽

Hailong Si ◽

Meng Ma ◽

Yu Fang ◽

Yina Jiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Noncoding Rna ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Cellular Functions ◽

Rna Immunoprecipitation ◽

Long Intergenic Noncoding Rna ◽

Targeted Inhibition ◽

Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract Background Microarray profiles of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) identified that long intergenic noncoding RNA 00221 (LINC00221) was upregulated. Herein, we aimed to identify the functional significance and underlying mechanisms of LINC00221 in HCC. Methods and results Human HCC samples had increased expression of LINC00221. Effects of LINC00221 on HCC cellular functions were analyzed using gain- and loss-function approaches. LINC00221 knockdown repressed HCC cell growth, migration, and invasion and enhanced their apoptosis. This anti-tumor effect was validated in vivo. Online prediction showed the potential binding relationship between LINC00221 and let-7a-5p, as well as that between let-7a-5p and matrix metalloproteinase 11 (MMP11). The results of luciferase, RNA immunoprecipitation, and RNA pull-down assays identified that LINC00221 interacted with let-7a-5p to increase expression of MMP11. Furthermore, we demonstrated that LINC00221 silencing increased let-7a-5p and inhibited MMP11 expression, thereby delaying the progression of HCC in vitro. Conclusions Silencing of LINC00221 could prevent HCC progression via upregulating let-7a-5p and downregulating MMP11. As such, LINC00221 inhibition presents a promising antitumor strategy for the treatment of HCC.

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KIAA1217 Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis by Interacting with and Activating STAT3

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms23010104 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 104

Author(s):

Yanhong Wang ◽

Na Li ◽

Yanping Zheng ◽

Anqing Wang ◽

Chunlei Yu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Adaptor Protein ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Macromolecular Protein ◽

Carcinoma Metastasis

The survival and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are poor, mainly due to metastasis. Therefore, insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying HCC invasion and metastasis are urgently needed to develop a more effective antimetastatic therapy. Here, we report that KIAA1217, a functionally unknown macromolecular protein, plays a crucial role in HCC metastasis. KIAA1217 expression was frequently upregulated in HCC cell lines and tissues, and high KIAA1217 expression was closely associated with shorter survival of patients with HCC. Overexpression and knockdown experiments revealed that KIAA1217 significantly promoted cell migration and invasion by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro. Consistently, HCC cells overexpressing KIAA1217 exhibited markedly enhanced lung metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, KIAA1217 enhanced EMT and accordingly promoted HCC metastasis by interacting with and activating JAK1/2 and STAT3. Interestingly, KIAA1217-activated p-STAT3 was retained in the cytoplasm instead of translocating into the nucleus, where p-STAT3 subsequently activated the Notch and Wnt/β-catenin pathways to facilitate EMT induction and HCC metastasis. Collectively, KIAA1217 may function as an adaptor protein or scaffold protein in the cytoplasm and coordinate multiple pathways to promote EMT-induced HCC metastasis, indicating its potential as a therapeutic target for curbing HCC metastasis.

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METTL3 Promotes Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Metastasis Through Enhancing GLS2 Expression

Frontiers in Oncology ◽

10.3389/fonc.2021.667451 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaoting Chen ◽

Lanlan Huang ◽

Tingting Yang ◽

Jiexuan Xu ◽

Chengyong Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Depth Of Invasion ◽

Rna Seq ◽

Rna Immunoprecipitation ◽

Carcinoma Metastasis

Recent studies have identified pleiotropic roles of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) in tumor progression. However, the roles of METTL3 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are still unclear. Here, we investigated the function and mechanism of METTL3 in ESCC tumorigenesis. We reported that higher METTL3 expression was found in ESCC tissues and was markedly associated with depth of invasion and poor prognosis. Loss- and gain-of function studies showed that METTL3 promoted the migration and invasion of ESCC cells in vitro. Integrated methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-Seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis first demonstrated that glutaminase 2 (GLS2) was regulated by METTL3 via m6A modification. Our findings identified METTL3/GLS2 signaling as a potential therapeutic target in antimetastatic strategies against ESCC.

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LIN28B-AS1-IGF2BP1 binding promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell progression

Cell Death and Disease ◽

10.1038/s41419-020-02967-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jian Zhang ◽

Kewei Hu ◽

Yong-qiang Yang ◽

Yin Wang ◽

Yu-fan Zheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Hepg2 Cells ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Non Coding Rna ◽

Proliferation And Apoptosis ◽

Cell Progression ◽

Rna Immunoprecipitation ◽

Hcc Cells

Abstract IGF2BP1 overexpression promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. Long non-coding RNA LIN28B-AS1 directly binds to IGF2BP1. In the present study, LIN28B-AS1 and IGF2BP1 expression and their potential functions in HCC cells were tested. Genetic strategies were applied to interfere their expression, and cell survival, proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed. We show that LIN28B-AS1 is expressed in established/primary human HCC cells and HCC tissues. RNA-immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pull-down results confirmed that LIN28B-AS1 directly associated with IGF2BP1 protein in HCC cells. LIN28B-AS1 silencing (by targeted siRNAs) or knockout (KO, by CRISPR-Cas9 method) depleted IGF2BP1-dependent mRNAs (IGF2, Gli1, and Myc), inhibiting HCC cell growth, proliferation, migration, and invasion. Conversely, ectopic overexpression of LIN28B-AS1 upregulated IGF2BP1-dependent mRNAs and promoted HCC cell progression in vitro. Importantly, ectopic IGF2BP1 overexpression failed to rescue LIN28B-AS1-KO HepG2 cells. LIN28B-AS1 siRNA and overexpression were ineffective in IGF2BP1-KO HepG2 cells. In vivo, LIN28B-AS1 KO-HepG2 xenograft tumors grew significantly slower than the control tumors in the nude mice. Taken together, we conclude that LIN28B-AS1 associates with IGF2BP1 to promote human HCC cell progression in vitro and in vivo.

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Long noncoding RNA Linc01296 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma development through regulation of the miR-26a/PTEN axis

Biological Chemistry ◽

10.1515/hsz-2019-0231 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 401 (3) ◽

pp. 407-416 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Libin Zhang ◽

Jing Hu ◽

Menghui Hao ◽

Liang Bu

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Long Noncoding Rna ◽

Noncoding Rna ◽

Malignant Tumors ◽

Cell Counting ◽

Tumor Xenograft ◽

Migration And Invasion

AbstractLong noncoding RNA 01296 (Lnc01296) is dysregulated in malignant tumors. However, the detailed effect of Linc01296 on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely unknown. In this study, we identified the biological role of Linc01296 in HCC. The levels of Linc01296 in HCC tissues and a panel of cell lines were assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The effects of Linc01296 on HCC progression were explored using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry, migration and Transwell invasion assays. The interactions among Linc01296, miR-26a and PTEN were determined using luciferase, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and Western blot assays. Tumor xenograft models were utilized to confirm the in vivo functional roles of Linc01296 in HCC development. Linc01296 expression was increased in both HCC tissue samples and cell lines. Knockdown of Linc01296 suppressed HCC cell processes, such as proliferation, migration and invasion, and enhanced apoptosis in vitro; these effects were reversed by a miR-26a mimic or PTEN overexpression. Furthermore, knockdown of Linc01296 suppressed HCC growth in vivo. These findings indicated that Linc01296 is involved in HCC progression via regulating miR-26a/PTEN.

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Loss of PR55α promotes proliferation and metastasis by activating MAPK/AKT signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma

Cancer Cell International ◽

10.1186/s12935-021-01796-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

JiangSheng Zhao ◽

GuoFeng Chen ◽

Jingqi Li ◽

Shiqi Liu ◽

Quan Jin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Cell Cycle Progression ◽

Lung Metastases ◽

Cell Counting ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Signal Pathways ◽

And Migration ◽

Healthy Liver

Abstract Background PR55α plays important roles in oncogenesis and progression of numerous malignancies. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. This study aims to characterize the functions of PR55α in HCC. Methods PR55α expressions in HCC tissues and paired healthy liver samples were evaluated using Western blot and tissue microarray immunohistochemistry. We knocked down the expression of PR55α in SMMC-7721 and LM3 cell lines via small interfering and lentivirus. In vitro cell counting, colony formation, migration and invasion assays were performed along with in vivo xenograft implantation and lung metastases experiments. The potential mechanisms involving target signal pathways were investigated by RNA-sequencing. Results PR55α expression level was suppressed in HCC tissues in comparison to healthy liver samples. Decreased PR55α levels were correlated with poorer prognosis (P = 0.0059). Knockdown of PR55α significantly promoted cell proliferation and migration, induced repression of the cell cycle progression and apoptosis in vitro while accelerating in vivo HCC growth and metastasis. Mechanistic analysis indicated that PR55α silencing was involved with MAPK/AKT signal pathway activation and resulted in increased phosphorylation of both AKT and ERK1/2. Conclusions This study identifies PR55α to be a candidate novel therapeutic target in the treatment of HCC.

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Long Non-Coding RNA ARAP1-AS1 Facilitates the Progression of Cervical Cancer by Regulating miR-149-3p and POU2F2

Pathobiology ◽

10.1159/000507830 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Ling Zhou ◽

Xiao-li Xu

Keyword(s):

Cervical Cancer ◽

Tumor Model ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Non Coding Rna ◽

Injection Model ◽

Rna Immunoprecipitation ◽

Long Non Coding Rna

Background: Emerging research has demonstrated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) attach great importance to the progression of cervical cancer (CC). LncRNA ARAP1-AS1 was involved in the development of several cancers; however, its role in CC is far from being elucidated. Methods: Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) was employed to detect ARAP1-AS1 and miR-149-3p expression in CC samples. CC cell lines (HeLa and C33A cells) were regarded as the cell models. The biological effect of ARAP1-AS1 on cancer cells was measured using CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, Transwell assay and wound healing assay in vitro, and subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumor model and tail vein injection model in vivo. Furthermore, interactions between ARAP1-AS1 and miR-149-3p, miR-149-3p and POU class 2 homeobox 2 (POU2F2) were determined by bioinformatics analysis, qRT-PCR, Western blot, luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assay, respectively. Results: The expression of ARAP1-AS1 was enhanced in CC samples, while miR-149-3p was markedly suppressed. Additionally, ARAP1-AS1 overexpression enhanced the viability, migration, and invasion of CC cells. ARAP1-AS1 downregulated miR-149-3p via sponging it. ARAP1-AS1 and miR-149-3p exhibited a negative correlation in CC samples. On the other hand, ARAP1-AS1 enhanced the expression of POU2F2, which was validated as a target gene of miR-149-3p. Conclusion: ARAP1-AS1 was abnormally upregulated in CC tissues and indirectly modulated the POU2F2 expression via reducing miR-149-3p expression. Our study identified a novel axis, ARAP1-AS1/miR-149-3p/POU2F2, in CC tumorigenesis.

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Warburg effect-promoted exosomal circ_0072083 releasing up-regulates NANGO expression through multiple pathways and enhances temozolomide resistance in glioma

Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research ◽

10.1186/s13046-021-01942-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chenyu Ding ◽

Xuehan Yi ◽

Xiangrong Chen ◽

Zanyi Wu ◽

Honghai You ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Warburg Effect ◽

Lactate Production ◽

Xenograft Model ◽

Cell Counting ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Circular Rnas ◽

Rna Immunoprecipitation ◽

Resistant Cells

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.

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