Effects of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA on the metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and Notch signaling pathway in tongue cancer

JAG2: A Potential Biomarker for Microtia Identified by Integrated RNA Transcriptome Analysis

Introduction

Microtia, a prevalent congenital maxillofacial deformity, significantly impacts the physical and psychological health of children. Its etiology, especially in non-syndromic cases, remains a complex and partially understood domain, complicating etiological treatment. Recent studies pointed to a genetic predisposition in non-syndromic microtia, yet research on susceptible or pathogenic genes is limited.

Objectives

This study focused on identifying key biomarker genes in microtia cartilage to elucidate pathogenesis and assist in prenatal diagnosis.

Methods

We first collated two bulk transcriptome datasets from the GEO database, followed by functional enrichment analysis and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to pinpoint differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and gene modules. The subsequent intersection of DEGs with WGCNA modules, aided by support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, predicted potential susceptibility genes for microtia. Finally, we integrated bulk RNA sequencing with single-cell data via the "scissor" R package and further validated it with Real-time PCR and immunofluorescence.

Results

We identified JAG2 as a prominent biomarker for microtia, evidenced by its significant upregulation in microtia cartilage.

Conclusion

Our findings implicate JAG2 in microtia development and suggest its role in chondrocyte maturation and differentiation through Notch signaling pathway activation, shedding light on the potential pathogenesis of microtia.

Targeting notch-related lncRNAs in cancer: Insights into molecular regulation and therapeutic potential

Cancer is a group of diseases marked by unchecked cell proliferation and the ability for the disease to metastasize to different body areas. Enhancements in treatment and early detection are crucial for improved outcomes. LncRNAs are RNA molecules that encode proteins and have a length of more than 200 nucleotides. LncRNAs are crucial for chromatin architecture, gene regulation, and other cellular activities that impact both normal growth & pathological processes, even though they are unable to code for proteins. LncRNAs have emerged as significant regulators in the study of cancer biology, with a focus on their intricate function in the Notch signaling pathway. The imbalance of this pathway is often linked to a variety of malignancies. Notch signaling is essential for cellular functions like proliferation, differentiation, and death. The cellular response is shaped by these lncRNAs through their modulation of essential Notch pathway constituents such as receptors, ligands, and downstream effectors around it. Furthermore, a variety of cancer types exhibit irregular expression of Notch-related lncRNAs, underscoring their potential use as therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers. Gaining an understanding of the molecular processes behind the interaction between the Notch pathway and lncRNAs will help you better understand the intricate regulatory networks that control the development of cancer. This can open up new possibilities for individualized treatment plans and focused therapeutic interventions. The intricate relationships between lncRNAs & the Notch pathway in cancer are examined in this review.

The role of Hedgehog and Notch signaling pathway in cancer

Notch and Hedgehog signaling are involved in cancer biology and pathology, including the maintenance of tumor cell proliferation, cancer stem-like cells, and the tumor microenvironment. Given the complexity of Notch signaling in tumors, its role as both a tumor promoter and suppressor, and the crosstalk between pathways, the goal of developing clinically safe, effective, tumor-specific Notch-targeted drugs has remained intractable. Drugs developed against the Hedgehog signaling pathway have affirmed definitive therapeutic effects in basal cell carcinoma; however, in some contexts, the challenges of tumor resistance and recurrence leap to the forefront. The efficacy is very limited for other tumor types. In recent years, we have witnessed an exponential increase in the investigation and recognition of the critical roles of the Notch and Hedgehog signaling pathways in cancers, and the crosstalk between these pathways has vast space and value to explore. A series of clinical trials targeting signaling have been launched continually. In this review, we introduce current advances in the understanding of Notch and Hedgehog signaling and the crosstalk between pathways in specific tumor cell populations and microenvironments. Moreover, we also discuss the potential of targeting Notch and Hedgehog for cancer therapy, intending to promote the leap from bench to bedside.