LINC00242/miR-1-3p/G6PD axis regulates Warburg effect and affects gastric cancer proliferation and apoptosis

RETRACTED: MiR-375 impairs breast cancer cell stemness by targeting the KLF5/G6PD signaling axis

Recurrence of breast cancer may be due to the presence of breast cancer stem cells (BCSC). Abnormal tumor cell growth is closely associated with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and disruption of redox homeostasis, and BCSCs exhibit low levels of ROS. The detailed mechanism between the low levels of ROS in BCSCs and their maintenance of stemness characteristics has not been reported. A growing number of studies have shown that tumor development is often accompanied by metabolic reprogramming, which is an important hallmark of tumor cells. As the first rate-limiting enzyme of pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), the expression of G6PD is precisely regulated in tumor cells, and there is a certain correlation between PPP and BCSCs. MiR-375 has been shown to inhibit stem cell-like properties in breast cancer, but the exact mechanism is not clear. Here, KLF5, as a transcription factor, was identified to bind to the promoter of G6PD to promote its expression, whereas miR-375 inhibited the expression of KLF5 by binding to the 3'UTR region of KLF5 mRNA and thus reduced the expression of G6PD expression, inhibits PPP to reduce NADPH, and increases ROS levels in breast cancer cells, thereby weakening breast cancer cell stemness. Our study reveals the specific mechanism by which miR-375 targets the KLF5/G6PD signaling axis to diminish the stemness of breast cancer cells, providing a therapeutic strategy against BCSCs.

Glucose metabolism is controlled by non-coding RNAs in autoimmune diseases; a glimpse into immune system dysregulation

The immune system accidentally targets the body's tissues, causing inflammation and tissue damage, the root causes of autoimmune illnesses. In recent studies, non-coding RNAs have been shown to significantly control gene expression and metabolic pathways linked to autoimmune diseases. This review investigates the effects of non-coding RNA on glucose metabolism, a route frequently dysregulated in autoimmune illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and diabetes. We review how non-coding RNA affects immune cell activity modulation, glucose absorption, glycolysis, and other metabolic processes critical to immune function. We also investigate the possibility of using non-coding RNA-mediated metabolic pathway targeting as a new therapeutic approach to treat autoimmune disorders. By clarifying the complex interplay of non-coding RNA, glucose metabolism, and immune dysregulation, this study endeavors to enhance comprehension of autoimmune etiology and facilitate the creation of focused therapies.

YAP-activated NAT10 promotes hepatoblastoma progression by activating the pentose phosphate pathway

Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common malignant liver tumor in children, with limited treatment options. The N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) modification, an important mRNA post-transcriptional modification catalyzed by N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10), plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression of tumors. However, its impact on the development and prognosis of HB is largely unknown. This study demonstrates that NAT10 is notably upregulated in HB. NAT10 inhibition suppressed HB proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) induced NAT10 transcription by binding to its promoter, which stimulates the ac4C modification within the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and enhancing its mRNA stability. YAP1/NAT10/G6PD axis resulted in enhanced pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) to promote proliferation and metastasis of HB. Moreover, said NAT10-mediated oncogenic effect could be significantly attenuated by a NAT10 inhibitor (Remodelin) both in vitro experiments and in vivo HB mouse models. Overall, our findings revealed the oncogenic role of NAT10 in regulating HB growth and metastasis, which can be a potential therapeutic target for human HB.

Glutathiones' life in multi-cancers: especially their potential micropetides in liver hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Glutathione plays critical roles in detoxifying xenobiotics, cell signaling, cell death and the antioxidant defence in an emerging body of evidence, the most abundant intracellular low molecular weight thiol in tissues. However, all glutathione metabolism pertinent genes (GMPGs) expression and their diagnostic/prognostic/micropeptide potential analyses have not been investigated to perform in pan-cancers.

METHODS

We gained GMPGs from the MsigDB 7.2, 12,123 samples were used to reveal the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the survival analysis in 32 types of cancers from TCGA, GTEx, and GEO datasets for the first time. All statistical analyses were performed by R for bioinformatics, such as DEGs, prognostic, diagnostic analysis, ceRNA, micropeptide prediction and immune infiltration. In addition, we utilized siRNA technology to target knockdown the expression of the G6PD gene in Huh7 hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

RESULTS

G6PD was significantly expressed and poor prognosis in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) and predicted RBM26-AS1 encoded micropeptide might target G6PD in LIHC. In vitro experiments show that G6PD knockout in Huh7 cells reduces their proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities.

CONCLUSIONS

We confirmed that G6PD played a crucial role in the occurrence and progression of LIHC. G6PD is positively associated with Th2 cells in LIHC, regulating immune responses in the immune system. We considered that micropeptide RBM26-AS1 might be a new player involved in LIHC by interacting with G6PD, might perform a key function in liver cancer.

LINC01224 promotes the Warburg effect in gastric cancer by activating the miR-486-5p/PI3K axis

The Warburg effect, a common feature of solid tumors, rewires the metabolism and promotes growth, survival, proliferation, and long-term maintenance in gastric cancer (GC). We performed in vitro and in vivo studies of the pathogenesis of GC to investigate the effects and mechanism of LINC01224 in this cancer. qRT-PCR was used to measure the expression of LINC01224 or miR-486-5p in GC cells, and the expression of LINC01224 in GC tissues by FISH (Fluorescence in situ hybridization) analysis was evaluated. Bioinformatics predicted the target gene of LINC01224, Western blotting was used to measure the protein expression of genes in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/HIF-1α axis and Warburg effect in GC cells. The function of LINC01224 in GC cells was determined using measurements of EDU assay, colony formation, apoptosis, cell migration, and cell invasion. Glucose metabolism was evaluated using a glucose uptake assay and measurements of lactate. A tumor xenograft model was used to examine the effect of LINC01224 on GC growth in vivo. We found that upregulation of LINC01224 in GC cells activated the miR-486-5p/PI3K axis and promoted aerobic glycolysis, thereby increasing cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion and anti-apoptosis. LINC01224 downregulation had the opposite effect. LINC01224 expression promoted the in vitro and in vivo pathogenesis of GC by promoting aerobic glycolysis. LINC01224 is a promising target in the treatment of GC.

The Pentose Phosphate Pathway: From Mechanisms to Implications for Gastrointestinal Cancers

The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), traditionally recognized for its role in generating nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and ribose-5-phosphate (R5P), has emerged as a critical metabolic hub with involvements in various gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. The PPP plays crucial roles in the initiation, development, and tumor microenvironment (TME) of GI cancers by modulating redox homeostasis and providing precursors for nucleotide biosynthesis. Targeting PPP enzymes and their regulatory axis has been a potential strategy in anti-GI cancer therapies. In this review, we summarize the regulatory mechanisms of PPP enzymes, elucidate the relationships between the PPP and TME's elements, and discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting the PPP in GI cancers.

Construction of an Oxidative Stress Risk Model to Analyze the Correlation Between Liver Cancer and Tumor Immunity

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most lethal cancers globally. Despite advancements in immunotherapy, the prognosis for patients with HCC continues to be poor. As oxidative stress plays a significant role in the onset and progression of various diseases, including metabolism-related HCC, comprehending its mechanism in HCC is critical for effective diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS

This study utilized the TCGA dataset and a collection of oxidative stress genes to identify the expression of oxidative stress-related genes in HCC and their association with overall survival using diverse bioinformatics methods. A novel prognostic risk model was developed, and the TCGA cohort was divided into high-risk and low-risk groups based on each tumor sample's risk score. Levels of immune cell infiltration and the expression of immune checkpoint-related genes in different risk subgroups were analyzed to investigate the potential link between tumor immunity and oxidative stress-related features. The expression of model genes in actual samples was validated through immunohistochemistry, and their mRNA and protein expression levels were measured in cell cultures.

RESULTS

Four oxidative stress-related genes (EZH2, ANKZF1, G6PD, and HMOX1) were identified and utilized to create a predictive risk model for HCC patient overall survival, which was subsequently validated in an independent cohort. A correlation was found between the expression of these prognostic genes and the infiltration of tumor immune cells. Elevated expression of EZH2, ANKZF1, G6PD, and HMOX1 was observed in both HCC tissues and cell lines.

CONCLUSION

The combined assessment of EZH2, ANKZF1, G6PD, and HMOX1 gene expression can serve as an oxidative stress risk model for assessing HCC prognosis. Furthermore, there is a correlation between the expression of these risk model genes and tumor immunity.

Exploring the Role of MicroRNAs in Progesterone and Estrogen Receptor Expression in Endometriosis

Background/Objectives: Patients with endometriosis still respond poorly to progestins due to progesterone resistance associated with microRNAs (miRNAs). The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of selected miRNAs, estrogen receptor (ER)α, ERβ, progesterone receptor (PR)-A and PR-B and to determine the target genes of upregulated miRNAs in endometriosis. Methods: In this study, 18 controls, 18 eutopic and 18 ectopic samples were analysed. Profiling and validation of miRNAs associated with functions of endometriosis were performed using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and qRT-PCR. At the same time, the expression of ERα, ERβ, PR-A and PR-B was also determined using qRT-PCR. Target prediction was also performed for miR-199a-3p, miR-1-3p and miR-125b-5p using StarBase. Results: In this study, NGS identified seven significantly differentially expressed miRNAs, of which six miRNAs related to the role of endometriosis were selected for validation by qRT-PCR. The expression of miR-199a-3p, miR-1-3p, miR-146a-5p and miR-125b-5p was upregulated in the ectopic group compared to the eutopic group. Meanwhile, ERα and ERβ were significantly differentially expressed in endometriosis compared to the control group. However, the expressions of PR-A and PR-B showed no significant differences between the groups. The predicted target genes for miR-199a-3p, miR-1-3p and miR-125b-5p are SCD, TAOK1, DDIT4, LASP1, CDK6, TAGLN2, G6PD and ELOVL6. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that the expressions of ERα and ERβ might be regulated by miRNAs contributing to progesterone resistance, whereas the binding of miRNAs to target genes could also contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Therefore, miRNAs could be used as potential biomarkers and for targeted therapy in patients with endometriosis.

CircSEC24B activates autophagy and induces chemoresistance of colorectal cancer via OTUB1-mediated deubiquitination of SRPX2

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a type of regulatory RNA that feature covalently closed single-stranded loops. Evidence suggested that circRNAs play important roles in the progression and development of various cancers. However, the impact of circRNA on autophagy-mediated progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. The objective of this project was to investigate the influence of circSEC24B on autophagy and its underlying mechanisms in CRC. To validate the presence and circular structure of circSEC24B in CRC cells and tissues, PCR and Sanger sequencing techniques were employed. Drug resistance and invasive phenotype of CRC cells were evaluated using CCK8, transwell, and Edu assays. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were conducted to assess the effects of circSEC24B and its protein partner on the growth, invasion, and metastasis of CRC cells in vitro and in vivo. Interactions between circSEC24B, OTUB1, and SRPX2 were analyzed through immunofluorescence, RNA-pulldown, and RIP assays. Mass spectrometry analysis was used to identify potential binding proteins of circRNA in CRC cells. Vectors were constructed to investigate the specific structural domain of the deubiquitinating enzyme OTUB1 that binds to circSEC24B. Results showed that circSEC24B expression was increased in CRC tissues and cell lines, and it enhanced CRC cell proliferation and autophagy levels. Mechanistically, circSEC24B promoted CRC cell proliferation by regulating the protein stability of SRPX2. Specifically, circSEC24B acted as a scaffold, facilitating the binding of OTUB1 to SRPX2 and thereby enhancing its protein stability. Additionally, evidence suggested that OTUB1 regulated SRPX2 expression through an acetylation-dependent mechanism. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that circSEC24B activated autophagy and induced chemoresistance in CRC by promoting the deubiquitination of SRPX2, mediated by the deubiquitinating enzyme OTUB1.

LncRNA DNAH17-AS1 promotes gastric cancer proliferation and radioresistance by sponging miR-202-3p to upregulate ONECUT2

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are frequently dysregulated in malignancies and serve as significant regulators of tumorigenesis. The role of the lncRNA DNAH17-AS1 in gastric cancer (GC) remains incompletely understood. In this study, we explored the biological function and underlying mechanism of DNAH17-AS1 in GC. Differences in DNAH17-AS1 expression between GC and normal tissues were evaluated via The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and qRT-PCR validation. CCK-8, colony formation, animal, and flow cytometry assays were performed to detect the effects of DNAH17-AS1 on GC cell proliferation. Further biological experiments combined with bioinformatics analyses were performed to reveal the molecular mechanism involved. The results indicated that DNAH17-AS1 was strongly overexpressed in GC tissues and cells and that high expression of DNAH17-AS1 was correlated with lager tumour size, poor differentiation, and shorter survival. Silencing DNAH17-AS1 inhibited proliferation, induced G1 arrest and apoptosis in GC cells in vitro, and repressed tumorigenesis in vivo. Mechanistically, DNAH17-AS1 acted as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for the tumour suppressor miR-202-3p and consequently prevented the degradation of ONECUT2. In addition, the DNAH17-AS1/miR-202-3p/ONECUT2 axis promoted the radioresistance of GC. In summary, DNAH17-AS1 plays crucial roles in GC progression and may be a novel promising target for therapy.

LncRNA UCA1 promotes vasculogenic mimicry by targeting miR-1-3p in gastric cancer

Long noncoding RNA urothelial carcinoma-associated 1 (UCA1) has been implicated in several tumors. UCA1 promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer (GC) cells, but the molecular mechanism has not been fully elucidated. This study revealed the oncogenic effects of UCA1 on cell growth and invasion. Furthermore, UCA1 expression was significantly correlated with the overall survival of GC patients, and the clinicopathological indicators, including tumor size, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage. Additionally, miR-1-3p was identified as a downstream target of UCA1, which was negatively regulated by UCA1. MiR-1-3p inhibited cell proliferation and vasculogenic mimicry (VM), and induced cell apoptosis by upregulating BAX, BAD, and tumor suppressor TP53 expression levels. Moreover, miR-1-3p almost completely reversed the oncogenic effect caused by UCA1, including cell growth, migration, and VM formation. This study also confirmed that UCA1 promoted tumor growth in vivo. In this study, we also revealed the correlation between UCA1 and VM formation, which is potentially crucial for tumor metastasis. Meanwhile, its downstream target miR-1-3p inhibited VM formation in GC cells. In summary, these findings indicate that the UCA1/miR-1-3p axis is a potential target for GC treatment.

Reprogramming of glucose metabolism: The hallmark of malignant transformation and target for advanced diagnostics and treatments

Reprogramming of cancer metabolism has become increasingly concerned over the last decade, particularly the reprogramming of glucose metabolism, also known as the "Warburg effect". The reprogramming of glucose metabolism is considered a novel hallmark of human cancers. A growing number of studies have shown that reprogramming of glucose metabolism can regulate many biological processes of cancers, including carcinogenesis, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. In this review, we summarize the major biological functions, clinical significance, potential targets and signaling pathways of glucose metabolic reprogramming in human cancers. Moreover, the applications of natural products and small molecule inhibitors targeting glucose metabolic reprogramming are analyzed, some clinical agents targeting glucose metabolic reprogramming and trial statuses are summarized, as well as the pros and cons of targeting glucose metabolic reprogramming for cancer therapy are analyzed. Overall, the reprogramming of glucose metabolism plays an important role in the prediction, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human cancers. Glucose metabolic reprogramming-related targets have great potential to serve as biomarkers for improving individual outcomes and prognosis in cancer patients. The clinical innovations related to targeting the reprogramming of glucose metabolism will be a hotspot for cancer therapy research in the future. We suggest that more high-quality clinical trials with more abundant drug formulations and toxicology experiments would be beneficial for the development and clinical application of drugs targeting reprogramming of glucose metabolism.This review will provide the researchers with the broader perspective and comprehensive understanding about the important significance of glucose metabolic reprogramming in human cancers.

Urolithin A exerts anti-tumor effects on gastric cancer via activating autophagy-Hippo axis and modulating the gut microbiota

Gastric cancer (GC) treatment regimens are still unsatisfactory. Recently, Urolithin A (UroA) has gained tremendous momentum due to its anti-tumor properties. However, the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanisms of UroA in GC are unclear. We explored the effects and related mechanisms of UroA on GC both in vivo and in vitro. A Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to determine the influence of UroA on the proliferation of GC cell lines. The Autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3MA) was employed to clarify the role of autophagy in the anti-tumor effect of UroA. Simultaneously, we detected the core-component proteins involved in autophagy and its downstream pathways. Subsequently, the in vivo anti-tumor effect of UroA was determined using a xenograft mouse model. Western blotting was used to detect the core protein components of the anti-tumor pathways, and 16S rDNA sequencing was used to detect the effect of UroA on the gut microbiota. We found that UroA suppressed tumor progression. The use of 3MA undermined the majority of the inhibitory effect of UroA on tumor cell proliferation, further confirming the importance of autophagy in the anti-tumor effect of UroA. Invigorating of autophagy activated the downstream Hippo pathway, thereby inhibiting the Warburg effect and promoting cell apoptosis. In addition, UroA modulated the composition of the gut microbiota, as indicated by the increase of probiotics and the decrease of pathogenic bacteria. Our research revealed new anti-tumor mechanisms of UroA, which may be a promising candidate for GC treatment.

Dextran sulfate inhibits proliferation and metastasis of human gastric cancer cells via miR-34c-5p

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignant tumor with a high global mortality rate that is currently difficult to treat. Dextran sulfate (DS), a safe anti-tumor agent, can effectively inhibit the malignant biological behavior of gastric cancer; however, its mechanism of action is not fully understood. Therefore, this study aimed at elucidate the potential mechanisms of action.

Methods

In this study we used DS to intervene in lentivirus-transfected gastric cancer cells to observe the effect of DS on miR-34c-5p. RT-qPCR, CCK-8, clone formation assay, wound healing assay, transwell assay and western blot were used to examine whether DS affects the proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer cells via miR-34c-5p. The results were validated using in vivo experiments.

Results

Our data confirmed that DS up-regulated miR-34c-5p expression in human gastric cancer cells. Moreover, DS intervention enhanced the inhibitory effect of miR-34c-5p over-expression on the proliferation, invasion, and migration of gastric cancer cells, and partially reversed the promotive effect of miR-34c-5p on the proliferation, invasion, and migration of gastric cancer cells. In addition, DS could affect the activation of the MAP2K1/ERK signaling pathway through the up-regulation of miR-34c-5p, thereby inhibiting the malignant biological behavior of gastric cancer. Finally, it was demonstrated that DS could also inhibit the expression of MAP2K1 in vivo, which in turn inhibits the activation of the ERK signaling pathway to exert anti-cancer effects.

Conclusion

DS may inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer cells by regulating miR-34c-5p, which may be a new option for clinical treatment.

Highly expressed lncRNA H19 in endometriosis promotes aerobic glycolysis and histone lactylation

In brief

Abnormal glucose metabolism may be involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. The present study identifies that highly expressed H19 leads to increased aerobic glycolysis and histone lactylation levels in endometriosis.

Abstract

Previous studies from our group and others have shown increased IncRNA H19 expression in both the eutopic endometrium and the ectopic endometriosis tissue during endometriosis. In this study, we use immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and protein quantification to determine that levels of aerobic glycolysis and histone lactylation are increased in endometriosis tissues. In human endometrial stromal cells, we found that high H19 expression resulted in abnormal glucose metabolism by examining the levels of glucose, lactate, and ATP and measuring protein levels of enzymes that participate in glycolysis. At the same time, immunofluorescence and western blotting demonstrated increased histone lactylation in H19 overexpressing cells. Altering aerobic glycolysis and histone lactylation levels through the addition of sodium lactate and 2-deoxy-d-glucose demonstrated that increased aerobic glycolysis and histone lactylation levels resulted in enhanced cell proliferation and cell migration, contributing to endometriosis. To validate these findings in vivo, we constructed an endometriosis mouse model, demonstrating similar changes in endometriosis tissues in vivo. Both aerobic glycolysis and histone lactylation levels were elevated in endometriotic lesions. Taken together, these data demonstrate elevated expression levels of H19 in endometriosis patients promote abnormal glucose metabolism and elevated histone lactylation levels in vivo, enhancing cell proliferation and migration and promoting the progression of endometriosis. Our study provides a functional link between H19 expression and histone lactylation and glucose metabolism in endometriosis, providing new insights into disease mechanisms that could result in novel therapeutic approaches.

Serum miRNA-1 may serve as a promising noninvasive biomarker for predicting treatment response in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

MicroRNA-1 (miR-1) is a tumour suppressor that can inhibit cell proliferation and invasion in several cancer types. In addition, miR-1 was found to be associated with drug sensitivity. Circulating miRNAs have been proven to be potential biomarkers with predictive and prognostic value. However, studies of miR-1 expression in the serum of breast cancer (BC) patients are relatively scarce, especially in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

METHODS

Serum samples from 80 patients were collected before chemotherapy, and RT-PCR was performed to detect the serum expression of miR-1. The correlation between miR-1 expression in serum and clinicopathological factors, including pathological complete response (pCR), was analyzed by the chi-squared test and logistic regression. KEGG and GSEA analysis were also performed to determine the biological processes and signalling pathways involved.

RESULTS

The miR-1 high group included more patients who achieved a pCR than did the miR-1 low group (p < 0.001). Higher serum miR-1 levels showed a strong correlation with decreased ER (R = 0.368, p < 0.001) and PR (R = 0.238, p = 0.033) levels. The univariate model of miR-1 for predicting pCR achieved an AUC of 0.705 according to the ROC curve. According to the interaction analysis, miR-1 interacted with Ki67 to predict the NAC response. According to the Kaplan-Meier plot, a high serum miR-1 level was related to better disease-free survival (DFS) in the NAC cohort. KEGG analysis and GSEA results indicated that miR-1 may be related to the PPAR signalling pathway and glycolysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, our data suggested that miR-1 could be a potential biomarker for pCR and survival outcomes in patients with BC treated with NAC.

miR-1-3p Inhibits Osteosarcoma Cell Proliferation and Cell Cycle Progression While Promoting Cell Apoptosis by Targeting CDK14 to Inactivate Wnt/Beta-Catenin Signaling

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a common bone malignancy and is diagnosed frequently in children and young adults. According to previous RNA sequencing, miR-1-3p is downregulated in OS clinical samples. Nevertheless, the functions of miR-1-3p in OS cell process and the related mechanism have not been revealed yet. In the current study, miR-1-3p expression in OS tissues and cells were evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. CCK-8 assays were conducted to measure OS cell viability in response to miR-1-3p overexpression. Colony forming assays and EdU staining were conducted for measurement of cell proliferation, and flow cytometry analysis was performed to determine cell apoptosis and cell cycle progression. Protein levels of apoptotic markers, beta-catenin, and Wnt downstream targets were quantified using western blotting. The binding relation between miR-1-3p and cyclin dependent kinase 14 (CDK14) was validated utilizing luciferase reporter assays. Experimental results revealed that miR-1-3p expression was decreased in OS tissues and cells. Additionally, miR-1-3p inhibited cell proliferation and cell cycle progression while enhancing OS cell apoptosis. Moreover, miR-1-3p directly targeted CDK14 and inversely regulated CDK14 expression in OS cells. Furthermore, miR-1-3p inactivated the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. CDK14 overexpression partially rescued the inhibitory impact of miR-1-3p on OS cell growth. Overall, miR-1-3p inhibits OS cell proliferation and cell cycle progression while promoting cell apoptosis by targeting CDK14 and inactivating the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling.

Identification and validation of DHCR7 as a diagnostic biomarker involved in the proliferation and mitochondrial function of breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Energy metabolism has a complex intersection with pathogenesis and development of breast cancer (BC). This allows for the possibility of identifying energy-metabolism-related genes (EMRGs) as novel prognostic biomarkers for BC. 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7) is a key enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis involved in many cancers, and in this paper, we investigate the effects of DHCR7 on the proliferation and mitochondrial function of BC.

METHODS

EMRGs were identified from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and MSigDB databases using bioinformatics methods. Key EMRGs of BC were then identified and validated by functional enrichment analysis, interaction analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, Cox analysis, and immune infiltration. Western blot, qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC), MTT assay, colony formation assay and flow cytometry assay were then used to analyze DHCR7 expression and its biological effects on BC cells.

RESULTS

We identified 31 EMRGs in BC. These 31 EMRGs and related transcription factors (TFs), miRNAs, and drugs were enriched in glycerophospholipid metabolism, glycoprotein metabolic process, breast cancer, and cell cycle. Crucially, DHCR7 was a key EMRG in BC identified and validated by WGCNA, LASSO regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. High DHCR7 expression was significantly associated with tumor immune infiltration level, pathological M, and poor prognosis in BC. In addition, DHCR7 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and affected mitochondrial function in BC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

DHCR7 was found to be a key EMRG up-regulated in BC cells. This study is the first to our knowledge to report that DHCR7 acts as an oncogene in BC, which might become a novel therapeutic target for BC patients.

Long Non-coding RNA COX10-AS1 Promotes Glioma Progression by Competitively Binding miR-1-3p to Regulate ORC6 Expression

Glioma is one of the most common and difficult to cure malignant primary tumors of the central nervous system. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has been reported to play important functions in biological processes of many tumors, including glioma. In our study, we aimed to reveal the role and molecular mechanisms of lncRNA COX10-AS1 in regulating the progression of glioma. First of all, we showed that lncRNA COX10-AS1 was significantly increased in glioma tissues and cell lines, and high-expressed COX10-AS1 was associated with a poor prognosis in glioma patients. Moreover, through performing the functional experiments, including CCK-8, colony formation and Transwell assays, we confirmed that COX10-AS1 ablation curbed cell proliferation, migration and invasion in glioblastoma (GBM) cells. In addition, we uncovered that there existed a regulatory relationship that COX10-AS1 upregulated OCR6 by sponging miR-1-3p in GBM cells, and the following rescue assays demonstrated that both miR-1-3p downregulation and origin recognition complex subunit 6 (ORC6) overexpression rescued cell viability, migration and invasion in the COX10-AS1-deficient GBM cells. Consistently, we also verified that COX10-AS1 promoted tumorigenesis of the GBM cells in vivo through modulating the miR-1-3p/ORC6 axis. On the whole, our findings indicated a novel ceRNA pattern in which COX10-AS1 elevated OCR6 expression via sponging miR-1-3p, therefore boosting tumorigenesis in glioma, and we firstly discussed the underlying mechanisms by which the COX10-AS1/miR-1-3p/ORC6 axis affected the progression of glioma.

A serum panel of three microRNAs may serve as possible biomarkers for kidney renal clear cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Although non-invasive radiological techniques are widely applied in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) diagnosis, more than 50% of KIRCs are detected incidentally during the diagnostic procedures to identify renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Thus, sensitive and accurate KIRC diagnostic methods are required. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to identify KIRC-associated microRNAs (miRNAs).

METHODS

This three-phase study included 224 participants (112 each of patients with KIRC and healthy controls (NCs)). RT-qPCR was used to evaluate miRNA expression in KIRC and NC samples. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) were used to predict the usefulness of serum miRNAs in KIRC diagnosis. In addition, we performed survival and bioinformatics analyses.

RESULTS

We found that miR-1-3p, miR-129-5p, miR-146b-5p, miR-187-3p, and miR-200a-3p were significantly differentially expressed in patients with KIRC. A panel consisting of three miRNAs (miR-1-3p, miR-129-5p, and miR-146b-5p) had an AUC of 0.895, ranging from 0.848 to 0.942. In addition, using the GEPIA database, we found that the miRNAs were associated with CREB5. According to the survival analysis, miR-146b-5p overexpression was indicative of a poorer prognosis in patients with KIRC.

CONCLUSIONS

The identified three-miRNA panel could serve as a non-invasive indicator for KIRC and CREB5 as a potential target gene for KIRC treatment.

RORα inhibits gastric cancer proliferation through attenuating G6PD and PFKFB3 induced glycolytic activity

BACKGROUND

Glycolysis is critical for harvesting abundant energy to maintain the tumor microenvironment in malignant tumors. Retinoic acid-related orphan receptor α (RORα) has been identified as a circadian gene. However, the association of glycolysis with RORα in regulating gastric cancer (GC) proliferation remains poorly understood.

METHODS

Bioinformatic analysis and retrospective study were utilized to explore the role of RORα in cell cycle and glycolysis in GC. The mechanisms were performed in vitro and in vivo including colony formation, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), Epithelial- mesenchymal transition (EMT) and subcutaneous tumors of mice model assays. The key drives between RORα and glycolysis were verified through western blot and chip assays. Moreover, we constructed models of high proliferation and high glucose environments to verify a negative feedback and chemoresistance through a series of functional experiments in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

RORα was found to be involved in the cell cycle and glycolysis through a gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) algorithm. GC patients with low RORα expression were not only associated with high circulating tumor cells (CTC) and high vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels. However, it also presented a positive correlation with the standard uptake value (SUV) level. Moreover, the SUVmax levels showed a positive linear relation with CTC and VEGF levels. In addition, RORα expression levels were associated with glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and phosphofructokinase-2/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFKFB3) expression levels, and GC patients with low RORα and high G6PD or low RORα and high PFKFB3 expression patterns had poorest disease-free survival (DFS). Functionally, RORα deletion promoted GC proliferation and drove glycolysis in vitro and in vivo. These phenomena were reversed by the RORα activator SR1078. Moreover, RORα deletion promoted GC proliferation through attenuating G6PD and PFKFB3 induced glycolytic activity in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, RORα was recruited to the G6PD and PFKFB3 promoters to modulate their transcription. Next, high proliferation and high glucose inhibited RORα expression, which indicated that negative feedback exists in GC. Moreover, RORα deletion improved fluorouracil chemoresistance through inhibition of glucose uptake.

CONCLUSION

RORα might be a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for GC through attenuating glycolysis.

Role of long non-coding RNAs in metabolic reprogramming of gastrointestinal cancer cells

Metabolic reprogramming, which is recognized as a hallmark of cancer, refers to the phenomenon by which cancer cells change their metabolism to support their increased biosynthetic demands. Tumor cells undergo substantial alterations in metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, pentose phosphate pathway, tricarboxylic acid cycle, fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. Latest studies have revealed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a group of non-coding RNAs over 200 nucleotides long, mediate metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells by regulating the transcription, translation and post-translational modification of metabolic-related signaling pathways and metabolism-related enzymes through transcriptional, translational, and post-translational modifications of genes. In addition, lncRNAs are closely related to the tumor microenvironment, and they directly or indirectly affect the proliferation and migration of tumor cells, drug resistance and other processes. Here, we review the mechanisms of lncRNA-mediated regulation of glucose, lipid, amino acid metabolism and tumor immunity in gastrointestinal tumors, aiming to provide more information on effective therapeutic targets and drug molecules for gastrointestinal tumors.

Construct dysregulated miRNA-mRNA interaction networks to conjecture possible pathogenesis for Stomach adenocarcinomas

BACKGROUND

Post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA induced by microRNA is known crucial in tumor occurrence, progression, and metastasis. This study aims at identifying significant miRNA-mRNA axes for stomach adenocarcinomas (STAD).

METHOD

RNA expression profiles were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GEO database for screening differently expressed RNAs and miRNAs (DE-miRNAs/DE-mRNAs). Functional enrichment analysis was conducted with Hiplot and DAVID-mirPath. Connectivity MAP was applied in compounds prediction. MiRNA-mRNA axes were forecasted by TarBase and MiRTarBase. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) of stomach specimen verified these miRNA-mRNA pairs. Diagnosis efficacy of miRNA-mRNA interactions was measured by Receiver operation characteristic curve and Decision Curve Analysis. Clinical and survival analysis were also carried out. CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE was employed for immune microenvironment measurement.

RESULT

Totally 228 DE-mRNAs (105 upregulated and 123 downregulated) and 38 DE-miRNAs (22 upregulated and 16 downregulated) were considered significant. TarBase and MiRTarBase identified 18 miRNA-mRNA pairs, 12 of which were verified in RT-qPCR. The network of miR-301a-3p/ELL2 and miR-1-3p/ANXA2 were established and verified in external validation. The model containing all 4 signatures showed better diagnosis ability. Via interacting with M0 macrophage and resting mast cell, these miRNA-mRNA axes may influence tumor microenvironment.

CONCLUSION

This study established a miRNA-mRNA network via bioinformatic analysis and experiment validation for STAD.

Long Noncoding RNA ACTA2-AS1 Inhibits Cell Growth and Facilitates Apoptosis in Gastric Cancer by Binding with miR-6720-5p to Regulate ESRRB

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignant tumor, posing a great threat to human's health and life. Previous studies have suggested aberrant expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in GC. This study elucidated the effects of lncRNA ACTA2-AS1 on the biological characteristics of GC. Gene expression in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) samples compared with normal tissues and the correlation between gene expression and prognosis of STAD patients were analyzed using bioinformatic tools. Gene expression at protein and mRNA levels in GC and normal cells was tested by western blotting and RT-qPCR. The subcellular localization of ACTA2-AS1 in AGS and HGC27 cells was identified by nuclear-cytoplasmic fractionation and FISH assay. EdU, CCK-8, flow cytometry analysis, TUNEL staining assays were conducted to evaluate the role of ACTA2-AS1 and ESRRB on GC cellular behaviors. The binding relationship among ACTA2-AS1, miR-6720-5p and ESRRB was verified by RNA pulldown, luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay. LncRNA ACTA2-AS1 was underexpressed in GC tissues and cell lines. ACTA2-AS1 elevation suppressed GC cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, ACTA2-AS1 directly bound to miR-6720-5p and subsequently promoted the expression of target gene ESRRB in GC cells. Furthermore, ESRRB knockdown reversed the influence of ACTA2-AS1 overexpression on GC proliferation and apoptosis. ACTA2-AS1 plays an antioncogenic role in GC via binding with miR-6720-5p to regulate ESRRB expression.

The important role of miR-1-3p in cancers

Cancer is a malignant tumor that seriously threatens human life and health. At present, the main treatment methods include surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. However, the mechanism of tumor occurrence and development is complex, and it produces resistance to some traditional treatment methods, leading to treatment failure and a high mortality rate for patients. Therefore, exploring the molecular mechanisms of tumor occurrence, development, and drug resistance is a very important task. MiRNAs are a type of non-coding small RNA that regulate a series of biological effects by binding to the 3'-UTR of the target mRNA, degrading the mRNA, or inhibiting its translation. MiR-1-3p is an important member of them, which is abnormally expressed in various tumors and closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors. This article introduces miR-1-3p from multiple aspects, including its production and regulation, role in tumor occurrence and development, clinical significance, role in drug resistance, and approaches for targeting miR-1-3p. Intended to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the important role of miR-1-3p in tumors.

Pan-cancer analysis of G6PD carcinogenesis in human tumors

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is involved in the catalytic pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), which is closely related to energy metabolism. G6PD plays a crucial role in many types of cancer, but the specific molecular mechanisms of G6PD in cancer remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the potential oncogenic role of G6PD in various tumors based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the cBioPortal datasets, the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) Xena browser, and the UALCAN-based online tool. G6PD was highly expressed in several cancer tissues (hepatocellular carcinoma, glioma, and breast cancer) compared with normal tissues and was significantly associated with poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and breast cancer. Promoter methylation levels of G6PD were lower in Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma (BLCA) (P = 2.77e-02), breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) (P = 1.62e-12), kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) (P = 4.23e-02), kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP) (P = 2.64e-03), liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) (P = 1.76e-02), stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) (P = 3.50e-02), testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) (P = 1.62e-12), higher in prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) (P = 1.81e-09), and uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) (P = 2.96e-04) compared with corresponding normal tissue samples. G6PD expression was positively correlated with the infiltration level of immune cells in most tumors, suggesting that G6PD may be involved in tumor immune infiltration. In addition, the functional mechanism of G6PD also involves 'Carbon metabolism', 'Glycolysis/Gluconeogenesis', 'Pentose phosphate pathway', and 'Central carbon pathway metabolism in cancer signaling pathway'. This pan-cancer study provides a relatively broad understanding of the oncogenic role of G6PD in various tumors and presents a theoretical basis for the development of G6PD inhibitors as therapeutic drugs for multiple cancers.

Long noncoding RNAs, glucose metabolism and cancer (Review)

Cancer is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease, which, despite numerous advances over several decades, remains a challenge to treat that challenging to detect at an early stage or treat during the later stages. Long noncoding RNAs are >200 nucleotides long and do not possess protein-coding capacity, instead regulating cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, maturation, apoptosis, metastasis, and sugar metabolism. Several studies have shown the role of lncRNAs and glucose metabolism in regulating several key glycolytic enzymes and the activity of multiple functional signaling pathways during tumor progression. Thus, it is possible to further learn about the effects of lncRNA and glycolytic metabolism on tumor diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis through a thorough investigation of the lncRNA expression profiles and glycolytic metabolism in tumors. This may provide a novel strategy for improving the management of several types of cancer.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase: a therapeutic target for ovarian cancer

INTRODUCTION

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a gynecological tumor disease, which is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage and has a poor prognosis. It has been established that the glucose metabolism rate of cancer cells is significantly higher than that of normal cells, and the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) is an important branch pathway for glucose metabolism. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is the key rate-limiting enzyme in the PPP, which plays an important role in the initiation and development of cancer (such as OC), and has been considered as a promisinganti-cancer target.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, based on the structure and biological function of G6PD, recent research on the roles of G6PD in the progression, metastasis, and chemoresistance of OC are summarized and accompanied by proposed molecular mechanisms, which may provide a systematic understanding of targeting G6PD for the treatment of patients with OC.

EXPERT OPINION

Accumulating evidence demonstrates that G6PD is a promising target of cancer. The development of G6PD inhibitors for cancer treatment merits broad application prospects.

Regulatory effect of tetramethylpyrazine on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis in gastric cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) has been reported to have antitumor effects, but its effect on gastric cancer and the underlying mechanism are not fully understood.

AIM

To investigate the regulatory effect and potential mechanism of TMP on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis of gastric cancer cells.

METHODS

Gastric cancer cells cultured in vitro were randomly divided into four groups: Control group (Ctrl), low-dose TMP group (TMP-L, 10 μM), medium-dose TMP group (TMP-M, 20 μM), and high-dose TMP group (TMP-H, 40 μM). After treatment, cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay, and cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were detected by colony formation assay and transwell assay. Glucose metabolism was determined by measurements of glucose uptake, lactate production, oxygen consumption rate (OCR), and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR). The activity of hexokinase (HK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was determined. The expression of glycolysis-related proteins and activation of the protein kinase B (AKT)/glucose trans-porter-1 (GLUT1) axis were assessed by Western blot assay.

RESULTS

TMP reduced the viability of gastric cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Compared to the Ctrl group, medium- and high-dose TMP inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion (P < 0.05). After treatment with TMP, glucose uptake, lactate production, OCR, and ECAR were decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and the activity of HK and LDH was reduced significantly in the TMP-H group (P < 0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the expression of p-AKT/AKT, GLUT1, HK2, and LDHA in gastric cancer cells treated with TMP was downregulated (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

TMP reduces glycolysis and inhibits cell proliferation and migration in gartric cancer cells.

Decoding the regulatory roles of non-coding RNAs in cellular metabolism and disease

Non-coding RNAs, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are being studied extensively in a variety of fields. Their roles in metabolism have received increasing attention in recent years but are not yet clear. The regulation of glucose, fatty acid, and amino acid metabolism is an imperative physiological process that occurs in living organisms and takes part in cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Here, we summarize the important roles played by non-coding RNAs in glucose metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism, as well as the mechanisms involved. We also summarize the therapeutic advances for non-coding RNAs in diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and some metabolic diseases. Overall, non-coding RNAs are indispensable factors in metabolism and have a significant role in the three major metabolisms, which may be exploited as therapeutic targets in the future.

Long non-coding RNAs and gastric cancer: An update of potential biomarkers and therapeutic applications

The frequent metastasis of gastric cancer (GC) complicates the cure and therefore the development of effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches is urgently necessary. In recent years, lncRNA has emerged as a drug target in the treatment of GC, particularly in the areas of cancer immunity, cancer metabolism, and cancer metastasis. This has led to the demonstration of the importance of these RNAs as prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic agents. In this review, we provide an overview of the biological activities of lncRNAs in GC development and update the latest pathological activities, prognostic and diagnostic strategies, and therapeutic options for GC-related lncRNAs.

Experimental evidence and clinical implications of Warburg effect in the skeletal muscle of Fabry disease

Skeletal muscle (SM) pain and fatigue are common in Fabry disease (FD). Here, we undertook the investigation of the energetic mechanisms related to FD-SM phenotype. A reduced tolerance to aerobic activity and lactate accumulation occurred in FD-mice and patients. Accordingly, in murine FD-SM we detected an increase in fast/glycolytic fibers, mirrored by glycolysis upregulation. In FD-patients, we confirmed a high glycolytic rate and the underutilization of lipids as fuel. In the quest for a tentative mechanism, we found HIF-1 upregulated in FD-mice and patients. This finding goes with miR-17 upregulation that is responsible for metabolic remodeling and HIF-1 accumulation. Accordingly, miR-17 antagomir inhibited HIF-1 accumulation, reverting the metabolic-remodeling in FD-cells. Our findings unveil a Warburg effect in FD, an anaerobic-glycolytic switch under normoxia induced by miR-17-mediated HIF-1 upregulation. Exercise-intolerance, blood-lactate increase, and the underlying miR-17/HIF-1 pathway may become useful therapeutic targets and diagnostic/monitoring tools in FD.

miR-33b in human cancer: Mechanistic and clinical perspectives

The microRNAs (miRNAs), an extensive class of small noncoding RNAs (∼22 nucleotides), have been shown to have critical functions in various biological processes during development. miR-33b (or hsa-miR-33b) is down-regulated in cancer of multiple systems. Notably, at least 27 protein-coding genes can be targeted by miR-33b. miR-33b regulates the cell cycle, cell proliferation, various metabolism pathways, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer cell invasion and migration, etc. In prostate cancer, Cullin 4B (CUL4B) can be recruited to the promoter to inhibit the expression of miR-33b. In gastric cancer, the hypermethylation of the CpG island regulated the expression of miR-33b. Besides, miR-33b could be negatively regulated by 7 competing-endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), which are all long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). There are at least 4 signaling pathways, including NF-κB, MAP8, Notch1, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways, which could be regulated partially by miR-33b. Additionally, low expression of miR-33b was associated with clinicopathology and prognosis in cancer patients. In addition, the aberrant expression of miR-33b was connected with the resistance of cancer cells to 5 anticancer drugs (cisplatin, docetaxel, bortezomib, paclitaxel, and daunorubicin). Importantly, our work systematically summarizes the aberrant expression of miR-33b in various neoplastic diseases and the effect of its downregulation on the biological behavior of cancer cells. Furthermore, this review focuses on recent advances in understanding the molecular regulation mechanisms of miR-33b. Moreso, the relationship between the miR-33b expression levels and the clinicopathological data and prognosis of tumor patients was summarized for the first time. Overall, we suggest that the current studies of miR-33b are insufficient but provide potential hints and direction for future miR-33b-related research.

Investigations into the impact of non-coding RNA on the sensitivity of gastric cancer to radiotherapy

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a newly discovered functional RNA different from messenger RNA, which can participate in regulating the occurrence and development of tumors. More and more research results show that ncRNAs can participate in the regulation of gastric cancer (GC) radiotherapy response, and its mechanism may be related to its effect on DNA damage repair, gastric cancer cell stemness, cell apoptosis, activation of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway, etc. This article summarizes the relevant mechanisms of ncRNAs regulating the response to radiotherapy in gastric cancer, which will be directly important for the introduction of ncRNAs particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) into clinical medicine as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Docetaxel suppressed cell proliferation through Smad3/HIF-1α-mediated glycolysis in prostate cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Tumor glycolysis is a critical event for tumor progression. Docetaxel is widely used as a first-line drug for chemotherapy and shown to have a survival advantage. However, the role of docetaxel in tumor glycolysis remained poorly understood.

METHODS

The effect of Docetaxel in tumor glycolysis and proliferation were performed by CCK-8, Western blotting, real-time PCR, glucose, and lactate detection and IHC. ChIP and luciferase assay were used to analyze the mechanism of Docetaxel on Smad3-mediated HIF-1α transactivity.

RESULTS

In this study, we showed that docetaxel treatment led to a significant inhibition of cell proliferation in prostate cancer cells through PFKP-mediated glycolysis. Addition of lactate, a production of glycolysis, could reverse the inhibitory effect of docetaxel on cell proliferation. Further analysis has demonstrated that phosphorylation of Smad3 (Ser213) was drastically decreased in response to docetaxel stimulation, leading to reduce Smad3 nuclear translocation. Luciferase and Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis revealed that docetaxel treatment inhibited the binding of Smad3 to the promoter of the HIF-1α gene, suppressing transcriptional activation of HIF-1α. Moreover, ectopic expression of Smad3 in prostate cancer cells could overcome the decreased HIF-1α expression and its target gene PFKP caused by docetaxel treatment. Most importantly, endogenous Smad3 regulated and interacted with HIF-1α, and this interaction was destroyed in response to docetaxel treatment. What's more, both HIF-1α and PFKP expression were significantly reduced in prostate cancer received docetaxel treatment in vivo.

CONCLUSION

These findings extended the essential role of docetaxel and revealed that docetaxel inhibited cell proliferation by targeting Smad3/HIF-1α signaling-mediated tumor Warburg in prostate cancer cells. Video Abstract.

Small extracellular vesicles in metabolic remodeling of tumor cells: Cargos and translational application

Warburg effect is characterized by excessive consumption of glucose by the tumor cells under both aerobic and hypoxic conditions. This metabolic reprogramming allows the tumor cells to adapt to the unique microenvironment and proliferate rapidly, and also promotes tumor metastasis and therapy resistance. Metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells is driven by the aberrant expression and activity of metabolic enzymes, which results in the accumulation of oncometabolites, and the hyperactivation of intracellular growth signals. Recent studies suggest that tumor-associated metabolic remodeling also depends on intercellular communication within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), also known as exosomes, are smaller than 200 nm in diameter and are formed by the fusion of multivesicular bodies with the plasma membrane. The sEVs are instrumental in transporting cargoes such as proteins, nucleic acids or metabolites between the tumor, stromal and immune cells of the TME, and are thus involved in reprogramming the glucose metabolism of recipient cells. In this review, we have summarized the biogenesis and functions of sEVs and metabolic cargos, and the mechanisms through they drive the Warburg effect. Furthermore, the potential applications of targeting sEV-mediated metabolic pathways in tumor liquid biopsy, imaging diagnosis and drug development have also been discussed.

Thymoquinone Suppresses Angiogenesis in DEN-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Targeting miR-1-3p

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by its high vascularity and metastasis. Thymoquinone (TQ), the main bio-active constituent of Nigella sativa, has shown anticancer and hepatoprotective effects. TQ's anticancer effect is mediated through miRNA regulation. miR-1-3p plays a significant role in various cancers but its role in HCC invasiveness remains poorly understood. Bio-informatics analysis predicted that the 3'-UTR of TIMP3 is a target for miR-1-3p; Rats were equally divided into four groups: Group 1, the negative control; Group 2 received TQ; Group 3 received DEN; and Group 4 received DEN after pretreatment with TQ. The expression of TIMP3, MMP2, MMP9, and VEGF in rats' liver was determined immunohistochemically. RT-qPCR was used to measure the miR-1-3p level in rats' liver, and TIMP3, MMP2, MMP9, and VEGF in the HepG2 cells after being transfected with miR-1-3p mimic or inhibitor; In rats pretreated with TQ, a decreased expression of MMP2, MMP9 and VEGF, and increased expression levels of TIMP3 and miR-1-3p were detected. Treating the HepG2 cells with miR-1-3p mimic led to the upregulation of TIMP3 and downregulation of MMP2, MMP9, and VEGF, and showed a significant delay in wound healing; These results suggested that the anti-angiogenic effect of TQ in HCC may be mediated through the regulation of miR-1-3p.

The role of lncRNAs in regulation of DKD and diabetes-related cancer

Diabetes mellitus often results in several complications, such as diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and end-stage renal diseases (ESRDs). Cancer patients often have the dysregulated glucose metabolism. Abnormal glucose metabolism can enhance the tumor malignant progression. Recently, lncRNAs have been reported to regulate the key proteins and signaling pathways in DKD development and progression and in cancer patients with diabetes. In this review article, we elaborate the evidence to support the function of lncRNAs in development of DKD and diabetes-associated cancer. Moreover, we envisage that lncRNAs could be diagnosis and prognosis biomarkers for DKD and cancer patients with diabetes. Furthermore, we delineated that targeting lncRNAs might be an alternative approach for treating DKD and cancer with dysregulated glucose metabolism.

Icariin attenuates the tumor growth by targeting miR-1-3p/TNKS2/Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis in ovarian cancer

Purpose

Despite various therapy advances, ovarian cancer remains an incurable disease for which survival rates have only modestly improved. Natural products are important sources of anti-cancer lead compounds. Icariin exhibited broad anti-cancer efficacy. However, the mechanism of icariin against ovarian cancer is poorly elucidated.

Methods

Cell viability was detected to evaluate the effect of icariin on SKOV-3 cells. The cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed. The transcript of SKOV-3 cells was profiled by RNA-seq. GSEA and DEGs analyses were performed to interpret gene expression data. Western blot and TOP/FOP flash assay were applied to detect Wnt/β-catenin signaling. MiRDB database and dual-luciferase reporter assay was applied to study the regulation of miR-1-3p on TNKS2. Anti-tumor efficacy of icariin was evaluated by xenograft mouse model. Immunohistochemistry was performed with antibodies against Ki67.

Results

Icariin significantly suppressed the proliferation of SKOV-3 cells. Furthermore, icariin stalled cell cycle and induced apoptosis by blocking TNKS2/Wnt/β-catenin pathway through upregulating the level of miR-1-3p. Finally, icariin dramatically suppressed tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusions

In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that icariin significantly attenuated the growth of ovarian tumor in xenograft mouse model. Furthermore, we systematically revealed that icariin attenuates the tumor progression by suppressing TNKS2/Wnt/β-catenin signaling via upregulating the level of miR-1-3p in ovarian cancer with transcriptome analysis.

Recent findings in the regulation of G6PD and its role in diseases

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is the only rate-limiting enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). Rapidly proliferating cells require metabolites from PPP to synthesize ribonucleotides and maintain intracellular redox homeostasis. G6PD expression can be abnormally elevated in a variety of cancers. In addition, G6PD may act as a regulator of viral replication and vascular smooth muscle function. Therefore, G6PD-mediated activation of PPP may promote tumor and non-neoplastic disease progression. Recently, studies have identified post-translational modifications (PTMs) as an important mechanism for regulating G6PD function. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of various PTMs (e.g., phosphorylation, acetylation, glycosylation, ubiquitination, and glutarylation), which are identified in the regulation of G6PD structure, expression and enzymatic activity. In addition, we review signaling pathways that regulate G6PD and evaluate the role of oncogenic signals that lead to the reprogramming of PPP in tumor and non-neoplastic diseases as well as summarize the inhibitors that target G6PD.

Energy Metabolism on Mitochondrial Maturation and Its Effects on Cardiomyocyte Cell Fate

Alterations in energy metabolism play a major role in the lineage of cardiomyocytes, such as the dramatic changes that occur in the transition from neonate to newborn. As cardiomyocytes mature, they shift from a primarily glycolytic state to a mitochondrial oxidative metabolic state. Metabolic intermediates and metabolites may have epigenetic and transcriptional roles in controlling cell fate by increasing mitochondrial biogenesis. In the maturing cardiomyocyte, such as in the postnatal heart, fatty acid oxidation increases in conjunction with increased mitochondrial biogenesis driven by the transcriptional coregulator PGC1-α. PGC1-α is necessary for mitochondrial biogenesis in the heart at birth, with deficiencies leading to postnatal cardiomyopathy. While stem cell therapy as a treatment for heart failure requires further investigation, studies suggest that adult stem cells may secrete cardioprotective factors which may regulate cardiomyocyte differentiation and survival. This review will discuss how metabolism influences mitochondrial biogenesis and how mitochondrial biogenesis influences cell fate, particularly in the context of the developing cardiomyocyte. The implications of energy metabolism on stem cell differentiation into cardiomyocytes and how this may be utilized as a therapy against heart failure and cardiovascular disease will also be discussed.

Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals the Biomarker Value and Potential Mechanism of miR-675-3p in Gastric Cancer

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is still the main challenge for the social and clinical system. Increasing studies have proved that microRNA dysfunction is closely associated with the GC progression. miR-675-3p has been confirmed as the tumor support in multiple tumor cells, while its role in GC remains unclear. Methods. The clinical data in the TCGA database were excavated for analyzing the role of miR-675-3p in pan-cancer and GC. qRT-PCR was applied to detect the abundances of the genes. The Starbase 2.0 was executed to target the prediction of miR-675-3p. Moreover, the enrichment analysis was performed with the DAVID database. The PPI-network analysis of the targets was performed with Cytoscape.

Results

miR-675-3p was dramatically upregulated in multiple types of cancer, and elevated miR-675-3p was also found in GC tissues. Moreover, increased miR-675-3p was closely related with the poor survival rates of the patients. The qRT-PCR showed that miR-675-3p was extremely upregulated in GC tissues and cell lines. The enrichment analysis showed that the targets of miR-675-3p were located in the cellular nucleus and associated with the transcriptional misregulation in cancer. The PPI-network showed that three clusters and total of 40 genes were screened as potential hub nodes. Moreover, BRIP1, MYO5B, and PDS5B were related with the prognostic survival of the patients according to the TCGA database and decreased BRIP1, MYO5B, and PDS5B were also found in GC cell lines.

Conclusion

This study identified miR-675-3p as a potential biomarker in GC development and revealed the potential regulation network of miR-675-3p.

Comprehensive transcriptome profiling of BET inhibitor-treated HepG2 cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and poor prognosis. Emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic alterations play a crucial role in HCC, suggesting epigenetic inhibition as a promising therapeutic approach. Indeed, the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitors inhibit the proliferation and invasion of various cancers but still lack a strong mechanistic rationale. Here, we identified the differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) and lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) in human HCC cell line HepG2 treated with the BET inhibitors, JQ1, OTX015, or ABBV-075. We analyzed the correlation between DEmRNAs and DElncRNAs in common for the three inhibitors based on their expression profiles and performed functional annotation pathway enrichment analysis. Most of these shared DEmRNAs and DElncRNAs, including some novel transcripts, were downregulated, indicating decreased proliferation/adhesion and increased apoptosis/inflammation. Our study suggests that BET proteins play a crucial role in regulating cancer progression-related genes and provide a valuable resource for novel putative biomarkers and therapeutic targets in HCC.

A novel ceRNA-immunoregulatory axis based on immune cell infiltration in ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal carcinoma by integrated weighted gene co-expression network analysis

Background

Patients with ulcerative colitis are at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer with a prolonged disease course. Many studies have shown that alterations in the immune microenvironment play a key role in ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer. Additionally, competing endogenous RNAs have important functions in immunoregulation, affecting inflammation and tumorigenesis. However, the complexity and behavioral characteristics of the competing endogenous RNA immunoregulatory network in ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer remain unclear. We constructed a competing endogenous RNA immunoregulatory network to discover and validate a novel competing endogenous RNA immunoregulatory axis to provide insight into ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer progression.

Methods

The competing endogenous RNA immunoregulatory network was constructed using differential expression analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, and immune-related genes. Cmap was used to identify small-molecule drugs with therapeutic potential in ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer. The ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer-related pathways were identified by gene set variation and enrichment analysis. CIBERSORT, single-sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, and xCell were used to evaluate the infiltration of immune cells and screen hub immunocytes. The competing endogenous RNA immunoregulatory axis was identified by correlation analysis.

Results

We identified 130 hub immune genes and constructed a competing endogenous RNA immunoregulatory network consisting of 56 long non-coding RNAs, four microRNAs, and six targeted hub immune genes. Four small-molecule drugs exerted potential therapeutic effects by reversing the expression of hub immune genes. Pathway analysis showed that the NF-κB pathway was significantly enriched. Neutrophils were identified as hub immunocytes, and IL6ST was significantly positively correlated with the neutrophil count. In addition, NEAT1 may serve as a competing endogenous RNA to sponge miR-1-3p and promote IL6ST expression.

Conclusions

The competing endogenous RNA immunoregulatory axis may regulate neutrophil infiltration, affecting the occurrence of ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-022-02252-7.

MiR-1-3p targets CENPF to repress tumor-relevant functions of gastric cancer cells

Here we noted significantly downregulated miR-1-3p in gastric cancer (GC) tissue compared with adjacent normal tissue through qRT-PCR. Lowly expressed miR-1-3p correlated GC progression. Overexpressing miR-1-3p could restrain tumor-relevant cell behaviors in GC, while miR-1-3p inhibitor treatment triggered the opposite results. Moreover, dual-luciferase reporter gene detection identified specific binding sites of miR-1-3p in CENPF 3’untranslated region. Upregulating miR-1-3p constrained cell progression of GC via CENPF downregulation. Western blot, qRT-PCR and dual-luciferase detections manifested that miR-1-3p negatively mediated CENPF expression in GC cells. Thus, we demonstrated that miR-1-3p negatively mediated CENPF to hamper GC progression. CENPF may be an underlying target for GC therapy.

Ferroptosis-Related IncRNAs Are Prognostic Biomarker of Overall Survival in Pancreatic Cancer Patients

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most lethal malignancies, the mortality and morbidity of which have been increasing over the past decade. Ferroptosis, a newly identified iron-dependent cell death pattern, can be induced by iron chelators and small lipophilic antioxidants. Nonetheless, the prognostic significance of ferroptosis-related lncRNAs in PC remains to be clarified. We obtained the lncRNA expression matrix and clinicopathological information of PC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) datasets in the current study. Firstly, we conducted Pearson correlation analysis to delve into the ferroptosis-related lncRNAs, and univariate Cox analysis was implemented to examine the prognostic values in PC patients. Twenty-three prognostic ferroptosis-related lncRNAs were confirmed and loaded into the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox (LASSO-Cox) analysis, then a ferroptosis-related lncRNA prognostic marker (Fe-LPM) was established in the TCGA dataset. Risk scores of patients were calculated and segregated PC patients into low-risk and high-risk subgroups in each dataset. The prognostic capability of Fe-LPM was also confirmed in the ICGC dataset. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that several ferroptosis-related pathways were enriched in low-risk subgroups. Furthermore, we adopted a multivariate Cox regression to establish a nomogram based on risk score, age, pathological T stage and primary therapy outcome. A competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was also created relied on four of the twenty-three ferroptosis-related lncRNAs. In conclusion, the eight Fe-LPM can be utilized to anticipate the overall survival (OS) of PC patients, which are meaningful to guiding clinical strategies in PC.

Quercetin Antagonizes Esophagus Cancer by Modulating miR-1-3p/TAGLN2 Pathway-Dependent Growth and Metastasis

The progression of esophagus cancer (EC) is associated with the alterative expressions of multiple microRNAs (miRs). MiR-1-3p is reported to inhibit the development of EC by targeting TAGLN2. Quercetin (Que) is a natural compound capable of antagonizing esophagus carcinoma (EC). In the current study, the role of miR-1-3p/TAGLN2 axis in the anti-EC function of Que was explored. Human EC cell lines KYSE-510 and TE-7 were treated with Que. Then the effects of Que on the growth and metastasis of EC cells, and on the activity of miR-1-3p/TAGLN2 axis were detected. The interaction between Que and miR-1-3p axis was further assessed by inhibiting miR-1-3p level in EC cells. The results showed that the treatment of Que impaired the growth and induced cell apoptosis in EC cells. The invasive ability of EC cells was also suppressed by Que. At molecular level, the expression of miR-1-3p was induced, while the expression of TAGLN2 was suppressed by Que. Moreover, the anti-EC effects of Que were blocked by miR-1-3p inhibition, which was represented by the restored growth and invasion of EC cells. Collectively, the current study demonstrated that Que exerted inhibitory effects on EC cells by inducing miR-1-3p.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2021.1972125.

Identification of a glycolysis-related lncRNA prognostic signature for clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Background: The present study investigated the independent prognostic value of glycolysis-related long noncoding (lnc)RNAs in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

Methods: A coexpression analysis of glycolysis-related mRNAs–long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in ccRCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was carried out. Clinical samples were randomly divided into training and validation sets. Univariate Cox regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analyses were performed to establish a glycolysis risk model with prognostic value for ccRCC, which was validated in the training and validation sets and in the whole cohort by Kaplan–Meier, univariate and multivariate Cox regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. Principal component analysis (PCA) and functional annotation by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed to evaluate the risk model.

Results: We identified 297 glycolysis-associated lncRNAs in ccRCC; of these, 7 were found to have prognostic value in ccRCC patients by Kaplan–Meier, univariate and multivariate Cox regression, and ROC curve analyses. The results of the GSEA suggested a close association between the 7-lncRNA signature and glycolysis-related biological processes and pathways.

Conclusion: The seven identified glycolysis-related lncRNAs constitute an lncRNA signature with prognostic value for ccRCC and provide potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of ccRCC patients.

G6PD inhibits ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase

Ferroptosis is an important cell necrosis and has been a focus in cancer related research.Increcsing studies have focused on the phenotype and function of ferroptosis in tumorigenesis, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we used bioinformatics approaches to identify differentially expressed genes associated with HCC and ferroptosis. We found that G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) was highly expressed in HCC and was associated with poor prognosis. G6PD promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as inhibited ferroptosis in HCC cells. Pathway and functional enrichment analyses revealed that G6PD was related to the P450 metabolic pathway. POR (cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase) was downregulated in HCC and was significantly correlated with the prognosis. G6PD inhibited ferroptosis inin HCC cells through POR. Knockdown of G6PD reduced the tumor volume and tumor weight in vivo. Our study demonstrated that G6PD deficiency suppresses cell growth, metastasis, and tumorigenesis via upregulating POR, suggesting that G6PD may be used as a biomarker for the treatment of HCC in the future.