Circ_0047921 acts as the sponge of miR-1287-5p to stimulate lung cancer progression by regulating proliferation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis of lung cancer cells

Telocinobufagin suppresses malignant metastasis of undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma via modulation of the LARP1-mTOR pathway

Metastasis is the trigger of death in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) patients, yet the specific mechanisms at play are still largely enigmatic. While the involvement of LARP1 in the metastatic process of various cancers has been documented, there is a noticeable gap in the literature regarding its potential influence on ATC metastasis. Molecular studies probed LARP1 expression within ATC cells, with subsequent in vitro experiments examining the effects of LARP1 on ATC cell metastasis and the mTOR signaling cascade. A suite of assays, including colony formation, scratch wound healing, transwell invasion, and cell adhesion, was used to assess cell growth, movement, invasion, and attachment. Western Blot determined the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers (E-cadherin, Vimentin, N-cadherin) and proteins implicated in metastasis (MMP-2, MMP-9), along with mTOR and p-mTOR. The affinity of Telocinobufagin (TBG) from Yuanhua Toad Essence for LARP1 was investigated through molecular docking, with CETSA assays providing subsequent validation. Further cellular experiments substantiated the influence of TBG on ATC cell metastasis and modulation in the mTOR pathway. LARP1 levels were heightened in ATC cells, and its depletion effectively curbs their proliferative, migratory, invasive, and adhesive activities. With LARP1 knockdown, we also observed that the onset of EMT and metastatic processes was thwarted, as was the mTOR pathway. Subsequent research has uncovered that TBG formed a physical complex with LARP1, allowing it to target and suppress the mTOR pathway, thus preventing the metastasis of ATC. The simultaneous overexpression of LARP1, however, lessened the ability of TBG to inhibit ATC metastasis. This study highlights the importance of TBG binding to LARP1 in the mediation of the mTOR signaling pathway, a key process in the inhibition of ATC cell metastasis. This discovery introduces a new target for the diagnosis of ATC and enlightens the consideration of TBG as a treatment for ATC metastasis.

Circular RNA pappalysin-1 enhances glycolysis via microRNA-656-3p targeting G-protein subunit gamma-5 to promote colon cancer progression

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Colon Cancer (CC) is a common malignant tumor. The aim of this study was to investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of circular RNA pappalysin-1 (circ-PAPPA; hsa_circ_0088233) in CC.

METHODS

In cancer tissues from CC patients, circ-PAPPA expression was measured and its relationship with patients' clinical features was analyzed. Plasmid vectors or oligonucleotides interfering with the expression of circ-PAPPA, microRNA (miR)-656-3p or G-protein subunit Gamma-5 (GNG5) were transfected into CC cells. Cell viability was detected by MTT and colony formation assay; apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry; and cell migration and invasion were detected by wound healing assay and Transwell. Glycolytic capacity of CC cells was assessed by measuring glucose uptake and lactate production using commercial kits. The targeting relationship between miR-656-3p and circ-PAPPA or GNG5 was verified by bioinformatics website starBase and dual luciferase reporter gene assay assays.

RESULTS

Circ-PAPPA was upregulated in CC and was negatively correlated with benign pathological features and 5-year survival rates of CC patients. Circ-PAPPA silencing inhibited the growth and glycolysis of CC cells through upregulating miR-656-3p. GNG5, a target of miR-656-3p, could reverse the impacts of silencing circ-PAPPA on CC cells.

CONCLUSION

Circ-PAPPA may play an oncogenic role in CC by promoting cell growth and glycolysis through the miR-656-3p/GNG5 axis.

CircRNA regulates lung cancer metastasis

Lung cancer stands prominently among the foremost contributors to human mortality, distinguished by its elevated fatality rate and the second-highest incidence rate among malignancies. The metastatic dissemination of lung cancer stands as a primary determinant of its elevated mortality and recurrence rates, underscoring the imperative for comprehensive investigation into its metastatic pathways. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a subclass of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) molecules, have garnered attention for their pivotal involvement in the genesis and advancement of lung cancer. Emerging evidence highlights the indispensable functions of circRNAs in orchestrating the metastatic cascade of lung cancer. This review primarily discusses the mechanisms by which circRNAs act as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) and modulate various signaling pathways to regulate lung cancer metastasis. CircRNAs influence critical cellular processes including angiogenesis, autophagy, and glycolysis, thereby exerting influence over the metastatic cascade in lung cancer. These discoveries offer innovative perspectives and therapeutic avenues for the diagnosis and management of lung cancer.

CircCOL5A1 is involved in proliferation, invasion, and inhibition of ferroptosis of colorectal cancer cells via miR-1287-5p/SLC7A11

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death globally. Circular RNA circCOL5A1 plays an oncogene function in a variety of tumors. However, the function of circCOL5A1 in CRC is still unknown. Here, we aimed to elucidate the function and mechanism of circCOL5A1 in CRC. The correlation between circCOL5A1 and CRC clinicopathological was assessed through chi-square. The relevance between circCOL5A1 and CRC patient survival time was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The expressions of circCOL5A1 in CRC were determined via quantitative real-time PCR. The function of circCOL5A1 in CRC was analyzed with Cell Counting Kit-8, EdU assay, Transwell, detection of reactive oxygen species and Fe2+ levels, and Western blot analysis. Moreover, the mechanism of circCOL5A1 was determined by dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation, and RNA pull-down. Finally, the role of circCOL5A1 in vivo was elucidated through a mouse xenograft model, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry. CircCOL5A1 expression was increased in CRC, and increased circCOL5A1 levels were related to TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and tumor differentiation in CRC patients, and CRC patients with high circCOL5A1 levels had a low overall survival rate. For the circCOL5A1 function in CRC, we found that circCOL5A1 knockdown weakened CRC cell proliferation and invasion, and enhanced cell ferroptosis. For the circCOL5A1 mechanism in CRC, we further confirmed that circCOL5A1 bound to miR-1287-5p, miR-1287-5p bound to SLC7A11. SLC7A11 was negatively interrelated to miR-1287-5p and was positively interrelated to circCOL5A1 in CRC tissues. Furthermore, interfering circCOL5A1 decreased SLC7A11 expression, and this trend was abolished through miR-1287-5p cotransfection. Rescue assays further demonstrated that circCOL5A1 knockdown alleviated CRC cell malignant phenotype via miR-1287-5p/SLC7A11. Moreover, interference with circCOL5A1 reduced CRC growth in vivo. CircCOL5A1 functioned as an oncogene in CRC via miR-1287-5p/SLC7A11.

Oncogenic circ-SLC16A1 promotes progression of non-small cell lung cancer via regulation of the miR-1287-5p/profilin 2 axis

BACKGROUND

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are single-stranded RNAs with covalently closed structures that have been implicated in cancer progression. However, the regulatory mechanisms remain largely unclear. So, the aim of this study was to reveal the role and regulatory mechanisms of circ-SLC16A1.

METHODS

In this study, next-generation sequencing was used to identify abnormally expressed circRNAs between cancerous and para-carcinoma tissues. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were performed to assess the expression patterns of circ-solute carrier family 16 member 1 (SLC16A1) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and tissue specimens. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was utilized to identify downstream targets of circ-SLC16A1. Transwell migration, wound healing, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation, cell counting, and colony formation assays were conducted to assess the proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells. A mouse tumor xenograft model was employed to determine the roles of circ-SLC16A1 in NSCLC progression and metastasis in vivo.

RESULTS

The results found that circ-SLC16A1 was upregulated in NSCLC cells and tissues. Downregulation of circ-SLC16A1 inhibited tumor growth by reducing proliferation, lung metastasis, and lymphatic metastasis of NSCLC cells, and arrested the cell cycle in the G1 phase. Also, silencing of circ-SLC16A1 promoted apoptosis of NSCLC cells. The results of bioinformatics analysis and the dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that microRNA (miR)-1287-5p and profilin 2 (PFN2) are downstream targets of circ-SLC16A1. PFN2 overexpression or circ-SLC16A1 inhibition restored proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells after silencing of circ-SLC16A1. PFN2 overexpression restored migration and proliferation of NSCLC cells post miR-1287-5p overexpression.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, these findings show that miR-1287-5p/PFN2 signaling was associated with downregulation of circ-SLC16A1 and reduced invasion and proliferation of NSCLC cells. So, circ-SLC16A1 is identified as a mediator of multiple pro-oncogenic signaling pathways in NSCLC and can be targeted to suppress tumor progression.

Glycolysis in human cancers: Emphasis circRNA/glycolysis axis and nanoparticles in glycolysis regulation in cancer therapy

The metabolism of cancer has been an interesting hallmark and metabolic reprogramming, especially the change from oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria to glucose metabolism known as glycolysis occurs in cancer. The molecular profile of glycolysis, related molecular pathways and enzymes involved in this mechanism such as hexokinase have been fully understood. The glycolysis inhibition can significantly decrease tumorigenesis. On the other hand, circRNAs are new emerging non-coding RNA (ncRNA) molecules with potential biological functions and aberrant expression in cancer cells which have received high attention in recent years. CircRNAs have a unique covalently closed loop structure which makes them highly stable and reliable biomarkers in cancer. CircRNAs are regulators of molecular mechanisms including glycolysis. The enzymes involved in the glycolysis mechanism such as hexokinase are regulated by circRNAs to modulate tumor progression. Induction of glycolysis by circRNAs can significantly increase proliferation rate of cancer cells given access to energy and enhance metastasis. CircRNAs regulating glycolysis can influence drug resistance in cancers because of theirimpact on malignancy of tumor cells upon glycolysis induction. TRIM44, CDCA3, SKA2 and ROCK1 are among the downstream targets of circRNAs in regulating glycolysis in cancer. Additionally, microRNAs are key regulators of glycolysis mechanism in cancer cells and can affect related molecular pathways and enzymes. CircRNAs sponge miRNAs to regulate glycolysis as a main upstream mediator. Moreover, nanoparticles have been emerged as new tools in tumorigenesis suppression and in addition to drug and gene delivery, then mediate cancer immunotherapy and can be used for vaccine development. The nanoparticles can delivery circRNAs in cancer therapy and they are promising candidates in regulation of glycolysis, its suppression and inhibition of related pathways such as HIF-1α. The stimuli-responsive nanoparticles and ligand-functionalized ones have been developed for selective targeting of glycolysis and cancer cells, and mediating carcinogenesis inhibition.

Exosomal circular RNA: a signature for lung cancer progression

Membrane vesicles having a diameter of 30-150 nm are known as exosomes. Several cancer types secrete exosomes, which may contain proteins, circular RNAs (circRNAs), microRNAs, or DNA. CircRNAs are endogenous RNAs that do not code for proteins and can create continuous and covalently closed loops. In cancer pathogenesis, especially metastasis, exosomal circRNAs (exo-circRNAs) have a crucial role mainly due to the frequently aberrant expression levels within tumors. However, neither the activities nor the regulatory mechanisms of exo-circRNAs in advancing lung cancer (LC) are obvious. A better understanding of the regulation and network connections of exo-circRNAs will lead to better treatment for LCs. The main objective of the current review is to highlight the functions and mechanisms of exo-circRNAs in LC and assess the relationships between exo-circRNA dysregulation and LC progression. In addition, underline the possible therapeutic targets based on exo-circRNA modulating.

UCHL1 acts as a potential oncogene and affects sensitivity of common anti-tumor drugs in lung adenocarcinoma

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Recently, ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) has been demonstrated to be highly expressed in many tumors and plays the role of an oncogene. However, the functional mechanism of UCHL1 is unclear in lung adenocarcinoma progression.

Methods

We analyzed the differential expression of the UCHL1 gene in lung adenocarcinoma and normal lung tissues, and the correlation between the UCHL1 gene and prognosis was also analyzed by the bioinformatics database TCGA. Meanwhile, we detected and analyzed the expression of UCHL1 and Ki-67 protein in a tissue microarray (TMA) containing 150 patients with lung adenocarcinoma by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and clinicopathological characteristics by TCGA database. In vitro experiments, we knocked down the UCHL1 gene of A549 cells and detected the changes in cell migration, invasion, and apoptosis. At the same time, we analyzed the effect of UCHL1 on anti-tumor drug sensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma by a bioinformatics database. In terms of the detection rate of lung adenocarcinoma indicators, we analyzed the impact of UCHL1 combined with common clinical indicators on the detection rate of lung adenocarcinoma through a bioinformatics database.

Results

In this study, the analysis of UCHL1 protein expression in lung adenocarcinoma proved that obviously higher UCHL1 protein level was discovered in lung adenocarcinoma tissues. The expression of UCHL1 was closely related to poor clinical outcomes. Interestingly, a significantly positive correlation between the expression of UCHL1 and Ki-67-indicated UCHL1 was associated with tumor migration and invasion. Through executing loss of function tests, we affirmed that silencing of UCHL1 expression significantly inhibited migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro. Furthermore, lung adenocarcinoma cells with silenced UCHL1 showed a higher probability of apoptosis. In terms of the detection rate of lung adenocarcinoma indicators, we discovered UCHL1 could improve the detection rate of clinical lung adenocarcinoma and affect drug sensitivity.

Conclusion

In lung adenocarcinoma, UCHL1 promotes tumor migration, invasion, and metastasis by inhibiting apoptosis and has an important impact on the clinical drug treatment of lung adenocarcinoma. In addition, UCHL1 can improve the detection rate of clinical lung adenocarcinoma. Above all, UCHL1 may be a new marker for the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma and provide a new target for the treatment of clinical diseases.