Mitochondrial non-coding RNA in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Clinical diagnosis and functional analysis

Revealing the Potential of Solamargine for Anti Metastasis and Angiogenesis Inhibition in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Background

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a major global health issue, especially in Southeast Asia. Solamargine (SM), an alkaloid from natural plants, inhibits various cancer cells. This study evaluates SM's effects on invasion, migration, EMT markers, angiogenesis, and related pathways in the NPC-specific C666-1 cell line.

Methods

In vitro assays, including wound healing, Transwell invasion, Western blot, and tube formation, were used to assess SM's impact on C666-1 NPC and HUVEC cells. SM concentrations were 2 µM and 5 µM, with axitinib (4 µM) as the control. Network pharmacology and GO-KEGG enrichment analyses were conducted to explore SM's targets and mechanisms in NPC.

Results

SM significantly inhibited C666-1 NPC cell invasion and migration by reducing EMT markers Vimentin and Snail. In HUVEC cells, SM decreased viability, invasion, migration, and tube formation, likely through VEGF signaling inactivation, EZH2 inhibition, and miR-203a-3p upregulation. Network pharmacology and GO-KEGG analyses identified key targets and pathways, suggesting SM's anti-NPC effects through multiple mechanisms.

Discussion

SM inhibits NPC cell invasion and migration by regulating EMT, suppressing angiogenesis, and modulating key pathways. These findings highlight SM's potential as an anti-cancer agent for NPC and provide new insights into its mechanisms. Network pharmacology and GO-KEGG analysis further identify its therapeutic targets, offering valuable directions for future drug development.

Pathological expression of mitochondrial genome-derived circRNA SCAR/mc-COX2 and its ceRNA network in colorectal cancer: implications for clinical significance

BACKGROUND

Mitochondrial-encoded circular RNAs (mecciRNAs) are a newly discovered class of mitochondrial-encoded non-coding RNAs (mt-ncRNAs) that play important biological roles in the cell. This study aimed to examine the expression profile of SCAR/mc-COX2 (has_circ_0089762) in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its relationship with clinicopathological variables. Furthermore, to better understand SCAR/mc-COX2's functional role in CRC, we constructed a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network.

METHODS

Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was employed to analyze the expression levels of SCAR/mc-COX2 in 40 pairs of CRC samples, consisting of 40 tumor samples and 40 adjacent non-tumoral samples from patients. The ceRNA regulatory network was constructed using online bioinformatics tools. Furthermore, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis were conducted using the Enrichr database.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated a significant decrease in SCAR/mc-COX2 expression in tumor tissues compared to adjacent non-tumoral tissues (p-value<0.05). In another finding, a significant relationship was observed between pathological T staging and the expression status of SCAR/mc-COX2 (p-value=0.02). Additionally, the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that SCAR/mc-COX2 had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.77, with 80% sensitivity and 75% specificity. Finally, a ceRNA regulatory network including SCAR/mc-COX2, 5 miRNA, and 9 mRNAs was found.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that SCAR/mc-COX2 may act as a tumor suppressor in CRC, and its dysregulation could play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of this cancer. The significant association with pathological T staging and its robust diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.77, sensitivity = 80%, specificity = 75%) highlight its potential as a novel biomarker for CRC detection and prognosis. Further functional studies are required to elucidate its precise role in CRC tumorigenesis and clinical applicability.

UBR5 metabolically reprograms nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells to promote glycolysis and M2 polarization via SPLUNC1 signaling

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most common cancer originating in nasopharynx. Metabolic reprogramming plays a critical role in tumor progression. Exploring mechanisms underlying metabolic reprogramming contributes to deeper understanding of NPC pathogenesis. Here, we found downregulation of RORA and SPLUNC1 in NPC, and RORA downregulation indicates poor prognosis. RORA binds to SPLUNC1 promoter to induce its transcription, and RORA overexpression inhibits cell proliferation and glycolysis by directly upregulating SPLUNC1. UBR5 inhibits RORA via promoting RORA ubiquitination and degradation, and UBR5 silencing represses proliferation and glycolysis in NPC. Additionally, METTL14, which is highly expressed in NPC, facilitates UBR5 mRNA stability by promoting its m6A modification through IGF2BP2. UBR5/RORA/SPLUNC1 axis facilitates M2 polarization by activating the GPR132 signaling. UBR5 silencing inhibits tumor growth, glycolysis and M2 polarization through RORA/SPLUNC1 signaling in mice. In conclusion, UBR5 promotes proliferation, glycolysis and M2 polarization by metabolically reprograming NPC cells through suppression of the RORA/SPLUNC1 signaling.

Astaxanthin suppresses the malignant behaviors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by blocking PI3K/AKT and NF-κB pathways via miR-29a-3p

BACKGROUND

As a natural extraction, astaxanthin is gaining increasing attention because of its safety and anti-tumor properties. It has been reported to participate in the progression of various types of cancer such as gastric cancer and ovarian cancer. Nevertheless, the role of astaxanthin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has not been investigated.

OBJECT

The study aimed to explore the anticancer mechanism of astaxanthin in regulating NPC cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, migration, and invasion.

METHODS

Human NPC cells (C666-1) were treated with different concentrations of astaxanthin (0, 1, 10, 20 mg/mL) followed by detection of cell viability. Then, C666-1 cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, invasion, and migration in response to 10 mg/mL astaxanthin, LY294002 (PI3K/AKT inhibitor) or parthenolide (PTL; NF-κB inhibitor) treatment were measured using cell counting kit-8 assay, colony forming assay, flow cytometry analyses, Transwell assay, and wound healing assay, respectively. Western blotting was performed to quantify protein levels of factors involved in PI3K/AKT and NF-κB signaling pathways, cell cycle phase markers (Cyclin D1, p21) and apoptotic markers (Bcl-2 and Bax).

RESULTS

C666-1 cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were significantly suppressed by astaxanthin while cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G1 phase were effectively enhanced in the context of 10 mg/mL astaxanthin. Protein levels of p-AKT, p-P65 and p-IκB levels were suppressed by astaxanthin treatment. After LY294002 or PTL treatment, the suppressive impact of astaxanthin on C666-1 cell process was strengthened, accompanied by the more obvious decrease in cell activity and cell colony number, more enhanced cell apoptosis and G1 phase arrest, and further inhibited cell migration and invasion. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of astaxanthin on Cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 protein levels as well as the promoting impact of astaxanthin on p21 and Bax were also amplified in combination with LY294002 or PTL treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Astaxanthin significantly suppresses NPC cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, migration, invasion while promoting cell apoptosis by inactivating PI3K/AKT and NF-κB pathways. The study first reveals the anticancer role of astaxanthin in NPC, providing a potential candidate for NPC treatment.