ZNF692 promotes proliferation and cell mobility in lung adenocarcinoma

ZNF692 promotes the migration and response to immunotherapy of clear cell renal cell carcinoma cells by targeting metabolic pathway

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), with high mortality and poor prognosis, is the most common type of renal malignancy. It is necessary to identify new biomarkers that can serve as indicators for the detection of ccRCC at its early stages. In this study, we analyzed the role of classical zinc finger protein 692 (ZNF692) in ccRCC using datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Single Cell Portal and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of a tissue-microarray, and analyzed the function of ZNF692 in ccRCC cells. The analyses indicated that ZNF692 was upregulated in ccRCC samples compared with normal or paracancerous control samples (P < 0.001) and that the expression of this gene was linked to poor overall survival (HR = 2.1, P < 0.0001). The knockdown of ZNF692 inhibited the proliferation and migration of ccRCC cells by target GTPase-activating protein (SH3 domain)-binding protein 2 (G3BP2), and transmembrane 9 superfamily member 2 (TM9SF2)). T, B, proximal, and collecting tubule cells are the dominant cell types in normal kidney tissue where ZNF692 is expressed. In addition, immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy dramatically changed the expression patterns of ZNF692. Collectively, these data indicate that ZNF692 may serve as prognosis, and as a potential indicator of the response to ICB therapy, a possibility needs to be verified by a case‒control study.

ZNF692 promotes osteosarcoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through TNK2-mediated activation of the MEK/ERK pathway

BACKGROUND

Osteosarcoma is a diverse and aggressive bone tumor. Driver genes regulating osteosarcoma initiation and progression remains incompletely defined. Zinc finger protein 692 (ZNF692), a kind of Krüppel C2H2 zinc finger transcription factor, exhibited abnormal expression in different types of malignancies and showed a correlation with the clinical prognosis of patients as well as the aggressive characteristics of cancer cells. Nevertheless, its specific role in osteosarcoma is still not well understood.

METHODS

We investigated the dysregulation and clinical significance of ZNF692 in osteosarcoma through bioinformatic method and experimental validation. A range of in vitro assays, including CCK-8, colony formation, EdU incorporation, wound healing, and transwell invasion tests, were conducted to assess the impact of ZNF692 on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in osteosarcoma. A xenograft mouse model was established to evaluate the effect of ZNF692 on tumor growth in vivo. Western blot assay was used to measure the protein levels of MEK1/2, P-MEK1/2, ERK1/2, and P-ERK1/2 in cells that had been genetically modified to either reduce or increase the expression of ZNF692. The relationship between ZNF692 and tyrosine kinase non-receptor 2 (TNK2) were validated by qRT-PCR, chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays.

RESULTS

Expression of ZNF692 was increased in both human osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines. Furthermore, the expression of ZNF692 served as an independent predictive biomarker in osteosarcoma. The results of the survival analysis indicated that increased expression of ZNF692 was associated with worse outcome. Downregulation of ZNF692 inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of osteosarcoma cells, whereas upregulation of ZNF692 has the opposite impact. Western blot assay indicates that reducing ZNF692 decreases phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2, whereas increasing ZNF692 expression enhances their phosphorylation. U0126, a potent inhibitor specifically targeting the MEK/ERK signaling pathway, partially counteracts the impact of ZNF692 overexpression on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of osteosarcoma cells. In addition, ZNF692 specifically interacts with the promoter region of TNK2 and stimulates the transcription of TNK2 in osteosarcoma cells. Forcing the expression of TNK2 weakens the inhibitory impact of ZNF692 knockdown on P-MEK1/2 and P-ERK1/2. Similarly, partly inhibiting TNK2 counteracts the enhancing impact of ZNF692 overexpression on the phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2. Functional tests demonstrate that the suppressive effects of ZNF692 knockdown on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion are greatly reduced when TNK2 is overexpressed. In contrast, the reduction of TNK2 hinders the ability of ZNF692 overexpression to enhance cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

CONCLUSION

ZNF692 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of osteosarcoma cells via the TNK2-dependent stimulation of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway. The ZNF692-TNK2 axis might potentially function as a possible predictive biomarker and a promising target for novel therapeutics in osteosarcoma.

ZNF692 drives malignant development of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by promoting ALDOA-dependent glycolysis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the malignancies with the worst prognosis worldwide, in the occurrence and development of which glycolysis plays a central role. This study uncovered a mechanism by which ZNF692 regulates ALDOA-dependent glycolysis in HCC cells. RT-qPCR and western blotting were used to detect the expression of ZNF692, KAT5, and ALDOA in HCC cell lines and a normal liver cell line. The influences of transfection-induced alterations in the expression of ZNF692, KAT5, and ALDOA on the functions of HepG2 cells were detected by performing MTT, flow cytometry, Transwell, cell scratch, and colony formation assays, and the levels of glucose and lactate were determined using assay kits. ChIP and luciferase reporter assays were conducted to validate the binding of ZNF692 to the KAT5 promoter, and co-IP assays to detect the interaction between KAT5 and ALDOA and the acetylation of ALDOA. ZNF692, KAT5, and ALDOA were highly expressed in human HCC samples and cell lines, and their expression levels were positively correlated in HCC. ZNF692, ALDOA, or KAT5 knockdown inhibited glycolysis, proliferation, invasion, and migration and promoted apoptosis in HepG2 cells. ZNF692 bound to the KAT5 promoter and promoted its activity. ALDOA acetylation levels were elevated in HCC cell lines. KAT5 bound to ALDOA and catalyzed ALDOA acetylation. ALDOA or KAT5 overexpression in the same time of ZNF692 knockdown, compared to ZNF692 knockdown only, stimulated glycolysis, proliferation, invasion, and migration and reduced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. ZNF692 promotes the acetylation modification and protein expression of ALDOA by catalyzing KAT5 transcription, thereby accelerating glycolysis to drive HCC cell development.

ZNF692 promotes cell proliferation, invasion and migration of human prostate cancer cells by targeting the EMT signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer poses a considerable threat to human health. At present, the mechanism of tumor progression remains unclear. ZNF692 is overexpressed in many tumors, and the high expression of ZNF692 is correlated with tumor aggressiveness and tumor phenotype of prostate cancer, suggesting that ZNF692 may play an important role in tumor biology of prostate cancer. This paper aims to elucidate the relationship between them.

METHODS

The expression level of ZNF692 was verified in normal prostate cells (RWPE-1) and prostate cancer cells (LNCaP, PC3, DU145). PC3 cells were selected to construct the ZNF692 knockout prostate cancer cell line. The changes of cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis were detected by CCK8, Edu staining, Transwell assay and scratch assay. The expression levels of related proteins were detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

At the cellular level, ZNF692 was overexpressed to varying degrees in prostate cancer cell lines, with the highest expression in PC3 cell lines. CCK8 and Edu results showed that the proliferation of prostate cancer PC3 cells that knocked down ZNF692 was slowed. Transwell assay and scratch assay showed reduced invasion and migration of prostate cancer PC3 cells that knocked out ZNF692. Flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis rate of prostate cancer PC3 cells after ZNF692 knockout was increased. In addition, after ZNF692 silencing, the expression level of epithelial phenotype E-cadherin increased in PC3 cells, while the expression level of interstitial phenotype N-cadherin, Vimentin, c-Myc, and CyclinA1 decreased. The state of prostate cancer PC3 cells that overexpressed ZNF692 was reversed from the state after ZNF692 was knocked down.

CONCLUSION

ZNF692 can be used as a new prognostic marker and a potential biologic therapeutic target for PCa. By inhibiting the expression of c-myc and cyclinA1, the EMT signaling pathway is regulated to provide evidence for its potential molecular mechanism.

ITPR1-AS1 promotes small cell lung cancer metastasis by facilitating P21HRAS splicing and stabilizing DDX3X to activate the cRaf-MEK-ERK cascade

The mechanisms underlying the involvement of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the metastasis of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remain largely unknown. Here, we identified that the lncRNA ITPR1-AS1 was upregulated in SCLC and lymph node metastasis tissues and positively correlated with SCLC malignant features. The overexpression of ITPR1-AS1 in SCLC was an independent risk factor for the overall survival of patients with SCLC. Our data confirmed that ITPR1-AS1 induces SCLC cell metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, ITPR1-AS1 acts as a scaffold to enhance the interaction between SRC-associated in mitosis 68 kDa and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1, which facilitates the alternative splicing of the H-Ras proto-oncogene (HRAS) pre-mRNA (P21HRAS). Moreover, we observed that ITPR1-AS1 could associate in a complex with and maintain the stability of DEAD-box polypeptide 3 (DDX3X), which inhibited the latter's ubiquitination and degradation. Our data provide evidence that ITPR1-AS1 activates the cRaf-MEK-ERK cascade by upregulating P21HRAS production and stabilizing DDX3X, to promote SCLC metastasis.

Comprehensive analysis of ZNF692 as a potential biomarker associated with immune infiltration in a pan cancer analysis and validation in hepatocellular carcinoma

Currently, the roles of ZNF692 have been documented exclusively in lung, colon, and cervical cancers. However, its involvement in pan cancer remains unknown. In this study, we employed bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation to investigate the role of ZNF692 in pan cancer. Our findings revealed aberrant expression of ZNF692 across various types of cancer. High expression of ZNF692 was associated with poor overall survival (OS) in ACC, COAD, KIRC, LAML, and LIHC. ZNF692 exhibited promising diagnostic potential in certain tumor types. A significant correlation was observed between high ZNF692 expression and advanced stages of ACC, BLCA, KICH, KIRC, LIHC, and OV. The expression of ZNF692 exhibited a significant association with microsatellite instability (MSI) in eight types of cancer and tumor mutational burden (TMB) in ten types of cancer. A noteworthy correlation was observed between ZNF692 expression and immune infiltration as well as immune checkpoints. Amplification of ZNF692 emerged as the most frequent alteration in pan cancer. ZNF692 was implicated in various biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions within the context of pan cancer. It is plausible that ZNF692 may contribute to chemotherapy and potentially be linked to chemoresistance. We constructed a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network involving AC009403.11/miR-126-3p/ZNF692 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The expression of ZNF692 exhibited a notable upregulation in HCC cell lines. Aberrant expression of ZNF692 was observed across various types of cancer. ZNF692 holds potential as a valuable diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic target in the context of pan cancer.

ZNF692 organizes a hub specialized in 40S ribosomal subunit maturation enhancing translation in rapidly proliferating cells

Increased nucleolar size and activity correlate with aberrant ribosome biogenesis and enhanced translation in cancer cells. One of the first and rate-limiting steps in translation is the interaction of the 40S small ribosome subunit with mRNAs. Here, we report the identification of the zinc finger protein 692 (ZNF692), a MYC-induced nucleolar scaffold that coordinates the final steps in the biogenesis of the small ribosome subunit. ZNF692 forms a hub containing the exosome complex and ribosome biogenesis factors specialized in the final steps of 18S rRNA processing and 40S ribosome maturation in the granular component of the nucleolus. Highly proliferative cells are more reliant on ZNF692 than normal cells; thus, we conclude that effective production of small ribosome subunits is critical for translation efficiency in cancer cells.

ZNF692 promote proliferation through transcriptional repression of essential genes in clear cell renal carcinoma

Transcription deregulation is recognized as a prominent hallmark of carcinogenesis. However, our understanding of the transcription factors implicated in the dysregulated transcription network of clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) remains incomplete. In this study, we present evidence that ZNF692 drives tumorigenesis in ccRCC through the transcriptional repression of essential genes. We observed overexpression of ZNF692 in various cancers, including ccRCC, and found that the knockdown or knockout of ZNF692 suppressed the growth of ccRCC. Genome-wide binding site analysis using ChIP-seq revealed that ZNF692 regulates genes associated with cell growth, Wnt signaling, and immune response in ccRCC. Furthermore, motif enrichment analysis identified a specific motif (5'-GCRAGKGGAKAY-3') that is recognized and bound by ZNF692. Subsequent luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that ZNF692 transcriptionally represses the expression of IRF4 and FLT4 in a ZNF692 binding motif-dependent manner. Additionally, we observed MYC binding to the promoter regions of ZNF692 in most cancer types, driving ZNF692 overexpression specifically in ccRCC. Overall, our study sheds light on the functional significance of ZNF692 in ccRCC and provides valuable insights into its therapeutic potential as a target in cancer treatment.

Comprehensive Analysis of a Zinc Finger Protein Gene–Based Signature with Regard to Prognosis and Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumor that seriously threatens the lives of teenagers and children. Zinc finger (ZNF) protein genes encode the largest transcription factor family in the human genome. Aberrant expressions of ZNF protein genes widely occur in osteosarcoma, and these genes are therefore attractive biomarker candidates for prognosis prediction. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of ZNF protein genes in osteosarcoma and identified prognosis-related ZNF protein genes. Then, we constructed a prognostic signature based on seven prognosis-related ZNF protein genes and stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups. The seven genes included MKRN3, ZNF71, ZNF438, ZNF597, ATMIN, ZNF692, and ZNF525. After validation of the prognostic signature in internal and external cohorts, we constructed a nomogram including clinical features such as sex and age and the relative risk score based on the risk signature. Functional enrichment analysis of the risk-related differentially expressed genes revealed that the prognostic signature was closely associated with immune-related biological processes and signaling pathways. Moreover, we found significant differences between the high- and low-risk groups for the scores of diverse immune cell subpopulations, including CD8+ T cells, neutrophils, Th1 cells, and TILs. Regarding immune function, APC co-inhibition, HLA, inflammation promotion, para-inflammation, T-cell co-inhibition, and the type I IFN response were significantly different between the high- and low-risk groups. Of the seven ZNF protein genes, lower expressions of ATMIN, MKRN3, ZNF71, ZNF438, and ZNF597 were correlated with a high risk, while higher expressions of ZNF525 and ZNF692 were associated with a high risk. The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis suggested that lower expressions of ATMIN, ZNF438, and ZNF597 and the higher expression of ZNF692 were associated with worse overall survival in osteosarcoma. In conclusion, our ZNF protein gene–based signature was a novel and clinically useful prognostic biomarker for osteosarcoma patients.

Meiotic nuclear divisions 1 (MND1) fuels cell cycle progression by activating a KLF6/E2F1 positive feedback loop in lung adenocarcinoma

Background

Considering the increase in the proportion of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cases among all lung cancers and its considerable contribution to cancer‐related deaths worldwide, we sought to identify novel oncogenes to provide potential targets and facilitate a better understanding of the malignant progression of LUAD.

Methods

The results from the screening of transcriptome and survival analyses according to the integrated Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data were combined, and a promising risk biomarker called meiotic nuclear divisions 1 (MND1) was selectively acquired. Cell viability assays and subcutaneous xenograft models were used to validate the oncogenic role of MND1 in LUAD cell proliferation and tumor growth. A series of assays, including mass spectrometry, co‐immunoprecipitation (Co‐IP), and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), were performed to explore the underlying mechanism.

Results

MND1 up‐regulation was identified to be an independent risk factor for overall survival in LUAD patients evaluated by both tissue microarray staining and third party data analysis. In vivo and in vitro assays showed that MND1 promoted LUAD cell proliferation by regulating cell cycle. The results of the Co‐IP, ChIP and dual‐luciferase reporter assays validated that MND1 competitively bound to tumor suppressor Kruppel‐like factor 6 (KLF6), and thereby protecting E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) from KLF6‐induced transcriptional repression. Luciferase reporter and ChIP assays found that E2F1 activated MND1 transcription by binding to its promoter in a feedback manner.

Conclusions

MND1, KLF6, and E2F1 form a positive feedback loop to regulate cell cycle and confer DDP resistance in LUAD. MND1 is crucial for malignant progression and may be a potential therapeutic target in LUAD patients.

ZNF692 promotes colon adenocarcinoma cell growth and metastasis by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway

Despite considerable recent advancements in colorectal cancer (CRC) therapy, the prognosis of patients with advanced disease remains poor. Further understanding of the molecular mechanisms and treatment strategies of this disease is required. Zinc finger protein 692 (ZNF692), also known as AREBP and Zfp692, was first reported to have an important role in gluconeogenesis. A recent study demonstrated that ZNF692 is overexpressed in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) tissues and that ZNF692 knockdown inhibited LUAD cell proliferation, migration, and invasion both in vitro and in vivo. However, the role of ZNF692 in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) remains unclear. The present study revealed that ZNF692 was upregulated in COAD tissues and cells and that high ZNF692 expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and tumor stage in COAD patients. Gain‑ and loss‑of‑function experiments were employed to identify the function of ZNF692 in COAD progression. In vitro and in vivo assays revealed that ZNF692 promoted COAD cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Furthermore, western blot analysis demonstrated that the effects of ZNF692 were mediated by upregulating cyclin D1, cyclin‑dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and matrix metalloproteinase‑9 (MMP‑9) and by downregulating p27Kip1 through the phosphoinositide 3‑kinase/AKT signaling pathway. Collectively, these data indicated that ZNF692 may serve as a novel oncogene and a potential treatment target in COAD patients.

A clinical, biologic and mechanistic analysis of the role of ZNF692 in cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

Cervical cancer (CC) is the most common malignancy in women. The zinc finger protein 692 (ZNF692) has been identified as a transcription factor and its aberrant expression participates in tumorigenesis of various cancers. However, its biological function and molecular mechanisms in cervical cancer remain unclear.

METHODS

Microarrays were analysed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) to investigate the expression of ZNF692 in cervical cancer and its relationship with clinicopathologic characteristics. siRNAs and expression plasmids were used to reveal the biological function of ZNF692 in CC and subcutaneous xenograft model to examine the role of ZNF692 in vivo. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assay were performed to ascertain whether ZNF692 binds to the promoter region of p27^kip1.

RESULTS

By analyzing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset, we confirmed ZNF692 as a potential oncogene in CC. ZNF692 expression was up-regulated in CC tissues compared with that in adjacent normal tissues, and its overexpression was correlated with poor clinicopathologic characteristics. Moreover, ZNF692 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of CC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Regarding molecular mechanisms, up-regulation of ZNF692 was found to enhance the G1/S transition via regulating the p27^kip1/P^Thr160-CDK2 signal pathway in CC cells.

CONCLUSION

ZNF692 promotes CC cells proliferation and invasion through suppressing p27^kip1 transcription by directly binding its promoter region, which suggests that ZNF692 may serve as an underlying therapeutic target and prognostic marker in CC.