Knockdown of lncRNA ZNRD1-AS1 suppresses gastric cancer cell proliferation and metastasis by targeting the miR-9-5p/HSP90AA1 axis

TMEM65 promotes gastric tumorigenesis by targeting YWHAZ to activate PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway and is a therapeutic target

Copy number alterations are crucial for the development of gastric cancer (GC). Here, we identified Transmembrane Protein 65 (TMEM65) amplification by genomic hybridization microarray to profile copy-number variations in GC. TMEM65 mRNA level was significantly up-regulated in GC compared to adjacent normal tissues, and was positively associated with TMEM65 amplification. High TMEM65 expression or DNA copy number predicts poor prognosis (P < 0.05) in GC. Furtherly, GC patients with TMEM65 amplification (n = 129) or overexpression (n = 78) significantly associated with shortened survival. Ectopic expression of TMEM65 significantly promoted cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and cell migration/invasion ability, but inhibited apoptosis (all P < 0.05). Conversely, silencing of TMEM65 in GC cells showed opposite abilities on cell function in vitro and suppressed tumor growth and lung metastasis in vivo (all P < 0.01). Moreover, TMEM65 depletion by VNP-encapsulated TMEM65-siRNA significantly suppressed tumor growth in subcutaneous xenograft model. Mechanistically, TMEM65 exerted oncogenic effects through activating PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway, as evidenced of increased expression of key regulators (p-Akt, p-GSK-3β, p-mTOR) by Western blot. YWHAZ (Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/Tryptophan 5-Monooxygenase) was identified as a direct downstream effector of TMEM65. Direct binding of TMEM65 with YWHAZ in the cytoplasm inhibited ubiquitin-mediated degradation of YWHAZ. Moreover, oncogenic effect of TMEM65 was partly dependent on YWHAZ. In conclusion, TMEM65 promotes gastric tumorigenesis by activating PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling via cooperating with YWHAZ. TMEM65 overexpression may serve as an independent new biomarker and is a therapeutic target in GC.

MiR-424-5p targets HSP90AA1 to facilitate proliferation and restrain differentiation in skeletal muscle development

MiR-424-5p was found to be a potential regulator in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of various cancer cells. However, the effects and functional mechanism of miR-424-5p in the process of myogenesis are still unclear. Previously, using microRNA (miRNA) sequencing and expression analysis, we discovered that miR-424-5p was expressed differentially in the different skeletal muscle growth periods of Xuhuai goats. We hypothesized that miR-424-5p might play an important role in skeletal muscle myogenesis. Then, we found that the proliferation ability of the mouse myoblast cell (C2C12 myoblast cell line) was significantly augmented, whereas the C2C12 differentiation was repressed after increasing the expression of miR-424-5p. Mechanistically, HSP90AA1 presented a close interrelation with miR-424-5p, which was predicted as a target gene in the progression of skeletal muscle myogenesis, using transcriptome sequencing, dual luciferase reporter gene detection, and qRT-PCR. The silencing of HSP90AA1 obviously increased C2C12 proliferation and diminished differentiation, which is consistent with the ability of miR-424-5p in C2C12. Altogether, our findings indicated the role of miR-424-5p as a novel potential regulator via HSP90AA1 during muscle myogenesis progression.

HSP90 and Noncoding RNAs

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) family is a class of proteins known as molecular chaperones that promote client protein folding and translocation in unstressed cells and regulate cellular homeostasis in the stress response. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are defined as RNAs that do not encode proteins. Previous studies have shown that ncRNAs are key regulators of multiple fundamental cellular processes, such as development, differentiation, proliferation, transcription, post-transcriptional modifications, apoptosis, and cell metabolism. It is known that ncRNAs do not act alone but function via the interactions with other molecules, including co-chaperones, RNAs, DNAs, and so on. As a kind of molecular chaperone, HSP90 is also involved in many biological procedures of ncRNAs. In this review, we systematically analyze the impact of HSP90 on various kinds of ncRNAs, including their synthesis and function, and how ncRNAs influence HSP90 directly and indirectly.

Overexpression of heat shock protein 90 through the downregulation of miR-9-5p in extramammary Paget's disease

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) facilitates diverse cellular processes by interacting process with more than 200 client proteins. Overexpression of HSP90 contributes to the pathogenesis of various malignant tumors, and HSP90 inhibitors attenuate the progression of malignant tumors in vitro/vivo. Numerous clinical trials have used HSP90 inhibitors to treat several cancers, and pimitespib (an HSP90 inhibitor) is covered by insurance for advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor in Japan. In this study, we investigated the expression pattern of HSP90 and analyzed its clinical significance in extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD). All 77 EMPD tissues investigated were positive for HSP90 expression. The immunoreactivity of HSP90 in fetal cases due to EMPD tended to be highly stained. Although there was no significant difference in HSP90 mRNA levels between 24 paired lesional and nonlesional tissues, microRNA-inhibiting HSP90 levels in tumor tissues were significantly decreased compared with those in normal tissues. Thus, HSP90 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of EMPD and may be a novel therapeutic target for EMPD.

ZNF655 mediated by LINC01210/miR-124-3p axis promotes the progression of gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignant tumor that usually originates from the epithelium of the gastric mucosa. ZNF655 was a suppressor gene of many cancers. However, the mechanism of ZNF655 in GC remains unknown. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the expression of ZNF655, LINC01210, and miR-124-3p. Western blotting was used to monitor ZNF655 protein expression. MTT, clone formation, transwell, and flow cytometry were all used to investigate the functions of GC cells. The interactions between ZNF655, LINC01210, and miR-124-3p were confirmed using the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and the RIP assay. ZNF655 was highly expressed in GC cells. ZNF655 knockdown reduced GC cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion, and induced apoptosis. The level of miR-124-3p was significantly reduced in GC cells. Besides, miR-124-3p targeted ZNF655 and inhibited its expression. MiR-124-3p mimics inhibited GC cell progression, but ZNF655 overexpression reversed these effects. Moreover, LINC01210 was found to be highly expressed in GC cells and to be able to sponge miR-124-3p. Furthermore, inhibiting miR-124-3p or increasing ZNF655 could counteract the effects of LINC01210 knockdown on GC cell development. Finally, ZNF655 promoted GC cell progression and was regulated by the LINC01210/miR-124-3p axis.

Role of NAT10-mediated ac4C-modified HSP90AA1 RNA acetylation in ER stress-mediated metastasis and lenvatinib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma

Emerging evidence showed that epigenetic regulation plays important role in the pathogenesis of HCC. N4-acetocytidine (ac4C) was an acetylation chemical modification of mRNA, and NAT10 is reported to regulate ac4C modification and enhance endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in tumor metastasis. Here, we report a novel mechanism by which NAT10-mediated mRNA ac4C-modified HSP90AA1 regulates metastasis and tumor resistance in ERS of HCC. Immunohistochemical, bioinformatics analyses, and in vitro and in vivo experiments, e.g., acRIP-Seq, RNA-Seq, and double luciferase reporter experiment, were employed to investigate the effect of NAT10 on metastasis and drug resistance in HCC. The increased expression of NAT10 was associated with HCC risk and poor prognosis. Cell and animal experiments showed that NAT10 enhanced the metastasis ability and apoptosis resistance of HCC cells in ERS and ERS state. NAT10 could upregulate the modification level of HSP90AA1 mRNA ac4C, maintain the stability of HSP90AA1, and upregulate the expression of HSP90AA1, which further promotes the metastasis of ERS hepatoma cells and the resistance to apoptosis of Lenvatinib. This study proposes a novel mechanism by which NAT10-mediated mRNA ac4C modification regulates tumor metastasis. In addition, we demonstrated the regulatory effect of NAT10-HSP90AA1 on metastasis and drug resistance of ERS in HCC cells.

A comprehensive review of the role of lncRNAs in gastric cancer (GC) pathogenesis, immune regulation, and their clinical applications

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common malignant tumor and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although numerous studies have been conducted on advanced GC, the molecular mechanisms behind it remain obscure. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a family of RNA transcripts capable of regulating target genes at transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational stages. They do this by modifying mRNAs, miRNAs, and proteins. These RNAs are critical regulators of many biological processes, including gene epigenetics, transcription, and post-transcriptional levels. This article highlights recent results on lncRNAs involved in drug resistance, proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, apoptosis, autophagy, and immune response in GC. The potential clinical implications of lncRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in GC are also discussed.

m6A-immune-related lncRNA prognostic signature for predicting immune landscape and prognosis of bladder cancer

Background

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) related long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) may have prognostic value in bladder cancer for their key role in tumorigenesis and innate immunity.

Methods

Bladder cancer transcriptome data and the corresponding clinical data were acquired from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The m6A-immune-related lncRNAs were identified using univariate Cox regression analysis and Pearson correlation analysis. A risk model was established using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analyses, and analyzed using nomogram, time-dependent receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. The differences in infiltration scores, clinical features, and sensitivity to Talazoparib of various immune cells between low- and high-risk groups were investigated.

Results

Totally 618 m6A-immune-related lncRNAs and 490 immune-related lncRNAs were identified from TCGA, and 47 lncRNAs of their intersection demonstrated prognostic values. A risk model with 11 lncRNAs was established by Lasso Cox regression, and can predict the prognosis of bladder cancer patients as demonstrated by time-dependent ROC and Kaplan–Meier analysis. Significant correlations were determined between risk score and tumor malignancy or immune cell infiltration. Meanwhile, significant differences were observed in tumor mutation burden and stemness-score between the low-risk group and high-risk group. Moreover, high-risk group patients were more responsive to Talazoparib.

Conclusions

An m6A-immune-related lncRNA risk model was established in this study, which can be applied to predict prognosis, immune landscape and chemotherapeutic response in bladder cancer.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-022-03711-1.

Investigating the Active Substance and Mechanism of San-Jiu-Wei-Tai Granules via UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS and Network Pharmacology

San-Jiu-Wei-Tai granules (SJWTG) are a significant Chinese patent medicine for the treatment of chronic gastritis (CG), having outstanding advantages in long-term treatment; however, the chemical composition and potential mechanism have not been investigated until now. In this study, a rapid separation and identification method based on UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS was established, and 95 chemical components from SJWTGs were identified, including 6 chemical components of an unknown source that are not derived from the 8 herbs included in SJWTGs. The identified chemical components were subsequently analysed by network pharmacology, suggesting that the core targets for the treatment of CG with SJWTGs were EGFR, SRC, AKT1, HSP90AA1, MAPK1, and MAPK3 and thus indicating that SJWTGs could reduce the inflammatory response of gastric epithelial cells and prevent persistent chronic inflammation that induces cancerization by regulating the MAPK signalling pathway and the C-type lectin receptor signalling pathway as well as their upstream and downstream pathways in the treatment of CG. The key bioactive components in SJWTGs were identified as 2,6-bis(4-ethylphenyl)perhydro-1,3,5,7-tetraoxanaphth-4-ylethane-1,2-diol, a chemical component of an unknown source, murrangatin, meranzin hydrate, paeoniflorin, and albiflorin. The results of molecular docking showed the strong binding interaction between the key bioactive components and the core targets, demonstrating that the key bioactive components deserve to be further studied and considered as Q-markers. By acting on multiple targets, SJWTG is less susceptible to drug resistance during the long-term treatment of CG, indicating the advantage of Chinese patent medicines. Furthermore, the preventive effect of SJWTGs on gastric cancer also demonstrates the superiority of preventive treatment of disease with traditional Chinese medicine.

Network Pharmacology-Integrated Molecular Docking Reveals the Expected Anticancer Mechanism of Picrorhizae Rhizoma Extract

This study sought to explore the anticancer mechanism of Picrorhizae Rhizoma (PR) extract based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. The potential chemicals of PR were screened through the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database and relevant literatures. Corresponding targets of active ingredients were found with the help of the UniProtKB database, and therapeutic targets for cancer action were screened with the help of the GeneCards database. We used Cytoscape software to construct the compound-target-pathway network of PR extract. We utilized the STRING database to obtain the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. We used DAVID database combining Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Finally, molecular docking was employed for initial efficacy checking. We have identified 16 potential active components of PR through screening, involving 112 disease action targets. Utilizing the GeneCards database, 112 intersecting targets between PR extract and cancer were found, which mainly exerts anticancer effects by regulating tumor necrosis factor (TNF), recombinant caspase 3 (CASP3), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK)/JUN, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and estrogen receptor-1 (ESR1) with some other target genes and pathways associated with cancer. The major anticancer species are prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, small cell lung cancer, etc. In the molecular docking study, herbactin had a strong affinity for TNF. Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking studies, PR and their compounds have demonstrated potential anticancer activities against several key targets. Our preliminary findings provide a strong foundation for further experiments with PR constituents.

Integrating Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification to Explore the Pharmacological Mechanisms of Aloin Against Gastric Cancer

Purpose

This study was designed to evaluate the pharmacological mechanisms of Aloin against gastric cancer (GC) via network pharmacology analysis combined with experimental verification.

Methods

Using network pharmacology methods, the potential targets of Aloin and targets related to GC were screened from public databases. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed to predict the core targets and pathways of Aloin against GC. The expressions of major targets predicted by network pharmacology in normal stomach tissues and GC tissues and their relationships with overall survival of GC were searched in GEPIA, HPA and DriverDBv3 database. The results of network pharmacology analysis were verified by in vitro experiments.

Results

A total of 129 potential targets were retrieved by searching the intersection of Aloin and GC targets. PPI network analysis indicated that 10 targets, including AKT1 and CASP3, were hub genes. GO enrichment analysis involved 93 biological processes, 19 cellular components, and 37 molecular functions. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the anti-cancer effect of Aloin was mediated through multiple pathways, such as PI3K-AKT, FoxO and Ras signaling pathway. Among them, the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, which contained the largest number of enriched genes, may play a greater role in the treatment of GC. The validation of key targets in GEPIA, HPA and DriverDBv3 database showed that the verification results for most core genes were consistent with this study. Then, the results of in vitro experiment indicated that Aloin could inhibit proliferation of NCI-N87 cells and induce cell apoptosis. The results also showed that Aloin could decrease the mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K and AKT, suggesting that Aloin can treat GC by inducing cell apoptosis and regulating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway.

Conclusion

This study identified the potential targets of Aloin against GC using network pharmacology and in vitro verification, which provided a new understanding of the pharmacological mechanisms of Aloin in treatment of GC.