Long Noncoding RNA MLK7-AS1 Promotes Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Migration and Invasion via the miR-375-3p/YWHAZ Axis

Two antisense RNAs-AFAP1-AS1 and MLK7-AS1-promote colorectal cancer progression by sponging miR-149-5p and miR-485-5p

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Antisense RNAs (asRNAs) are closely associated with cancer malignancy. This study aimed to identify the action mechanism of asRNAs in controlling CRC malignancy. Analysis of the RNA sequencing data revealed that AFAP1-AS1 and MLK7-AS1 were upregulated in CRC patients and cell lines. High levels of both asRNAs were associated with poor prognosis in patients with CRC. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that the knockdown of the two asRNAs decreased the proliferative and metastatic abilities of CRC cells. Mechanistically, AFAP1-AS1 and MLK7-AS1 decreased the levels of miR-149-5p and miR-485-5p by functioning as ceRNAs. Overexpression of miRNAs by introducing miRNA mimics suppressed the expression of SHMT2 and IGFBP5 by directly binding to the 3' UTR of their mRNA. Knockdown of both asRNAs decreased the expression of SHMT2 and IGFBP5, which was reversed by inhibition of both miRNAs by miRNA inhibitors. In vivo pharmacological targeting of both asRNAs by small interfering RNA-loaded nanoparticles showed that knockdown of asRNAs significantly reduced tumor growth and metastasis. Our findings demonstrate that AFAP1-AS1 and MLK7-AS1 promote CRC progression by sponging the tumor-suppressing miRNAs miR-149-5p and miR-485-5p, thus upregulating SHMT2 and IGFBP5.

MicroRNA-185-5p targets tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein zeta to regulate non-small cell lung cancer progression

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer (LC) is one of the most frequent cancers worldwide, as well as the leading cause of cancer-related death. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC, which accounts for 85% of occurrences) is the main type of LC. MiRNAs appear to play a role in the occurrence and progression of many malignancies, according to mounting data. The underlying mechanism of miRNAs in regulating NSCLC cell biological activity and progression, on the other hand, is still being investigated.

METHODS

QRT-PCR were used to detect miR-185-5p expression and YWHAZ mRNA in NSCLC. The CCK-8 assay was used to determine the tumor cells' ability to proliferate. Transwall assay was used to test the migratory and invasive properties of cells. Cell apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry. Tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein zeta (YWHAZ), E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin and cleaved-caspase3 protein expression were assessed using Western Blot. The bioinformatics analysis software StarBase2.0 predicted miR-185-5p downstream targets. To confirm the target association between miR-185-5p and YWHAZ, a luciferase experiment was used. In addition, an NCl-H1299 xenograft model was created to assess the anti-tumor impact of miR-185-5p in vivo. The expression level of YWHAZ in tumor tissues of small xenograft tumor model was detected by immunohistochemistry assay.

RESULTS

Decreased miR-185-5p expression levels were observed in NSCLC. In vitro, over-expressed miR-185-5p decreased cell viability, proliferation, invasion/migration, and induced cell apoptosis, while inhibiting tumor growth in vivo. Dual-luciferase gene experiments confirmed that YWHAZ binds to miR-185-5p. Overexpression of YWHAZ partially restored the inhibitory effects of miR-185-5p on cell behaviors.

CONCLUSION

MiR-185-5p was down-regulated in NSCLC, and that overexpressed miR-185-5p inhibited malignant behaviors of cells and tumor growth by negatively regulating YWHAZ.

Roles and mechanisms of miR-195-5p in human solid cancers

Cancer persists as a worldwide disease that contributes to high morbidity and mortality rates. As a class of non-coding RNA, microRNAs (miRNAs) are one kind of important regulators in cancer and frequently implicated in tumor development and progression. Emerging experiments have suggested that miRNA-195-5p (miR-195-5p) can regulate neoplastic processes in many pathways. For instance, miR-195-5p can not only regulate proliferation, migration and invasion of tumor cells but also promote tumor cell apoptosis. Furthermore, low expression of miR-195-5p could induce drug resistance. Our review focuses on the expression of miR-195-5p in various tumors and elucidates the related mechanisms of which miR-195-5p participates in tumor biology, as well as summarizes the roles of miR-195-5p in tumor progression. We believe that miR-195-5p might have potential utility as a novel diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for cancer.