lncRNA ELFN1-AS1 promotes proliferation, migration and invasion and suppresses apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells by enhancing G6PD activity

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Extensive Heterogeneity and Unique Gene Trajectories in Non-Transformed and Transformed Human Lung Epithelial Cells: Insights into the Role of LncRNAs in Tumor Heterogeneity

Lung cancer exhibits substantial inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity, with features that present significant challenges in advancing biomarker discovery and the development of targeted therapeutics. To fill this gap, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and advanced bioinformatics tools to evaluate the transcriptomic heterogeneity of immortalized, non-transformed (BEAS2B) and transformed (H460) lung epithelial cell lines and their responses to carcinogen challenge. Gene expression profiles resolved four primary clusters further discretized into unique subclusters based on genetic signatures and phenotypic profiles. Profiles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) identified microRNA host genes, antisense RNA genes, divergent transcript, and long intergenic non-coding RNAs as contributors to cellular heterogeneity. These findings indicate that distinct patterns of gene expression, remarkably in lncRNAs, define cellular heterogeneity in non-transformed versus transformed cells. These features can be exploited for the development of therapies directed at specific cell subpopulations in precancerous lesions and within lung tumors.

The Pentose Phosphate Pathway: From Mechanisms to Implications for Gastrointestinal Cancers

The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), traditionally recognized for its role in generating nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and ribose-5-phosphate (R5P), has emerged as a critical metabolic hub with involvements in various gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. The PPP plays crucial roles in the initiation, development, and tumor microenvironment (TME) of GI cancers by modulating redox homeostasis and providing precursors for nucleotide biosynthesis. Targeting PPP enzymes and their regulatory axis has been a potential strategy in anti-GI cancer therapies. In this review, we summarize the regulatory mechanisms of PPP enzymes, elucidate the relationships between the PPP and TME's elements, and discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting the PPP in GI cancers.

Regulatory function of glycolysis-related lncRNAs in tumor progression: Mechanism, facts, and perspectives

Altered metabolism is a hallmark of cancer, and reprogramming of energy metabolism, known as the "Warburg effect", has long been associated with cancer. Cancer cells use the process of glycolysis to quickly manufacture energy from glucose, pyruvic acid, and lactate, which in turn accelerates the growth of cancer and glycolysis becomes a key target for anti-cancer therapies. Recent groundbreaking discoveries regarding long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have opened a new chapter in the mechanism of cancer occurrence. It is widely recognized that lncRNAs regulate energy metabolism through glycolysis in cancer cells. LncRNAs have been demonstrated to engage in several cancer processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and chemoresistance, whereas glycolysis is enhanced or inhibited by the dysregulation of lncRNAs. As a result, cancer survival and development are influenced by different signaling pathways. In this review, we summarize the roles of lncRNAs in a variety of cancers and describe the mechanisms underlying their role in glycolysis. Additionally, the predictive potential of glycolysis and lncRNAs in cancer therapy is discussed.

Glycolysis-associated lncRNAs in cancer energy metabolism and immune microenvironment: a magic key

The dependence of tumor cells on glycolysis provides essential energy and raw materials for their survival and growth. Recent research findings have indicated that long chain non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have a key regulatory function in the tumor glycolytic pathway and offer new opportunities for cancer therapy. LncRNAs are analogous to a regulatory key during glycolysis. In this paper, we review the mechanisms of LncRNA in the tumor glycolytic pathway and their potential therapeutic strategies, including current alterations in cancer-related energy metabolism with lncRNA mediating the expression of key enzymes, lactate production and transport, and the mechanism of interaction with transcription factors, miRNAs, and other molecules. Studies targeting LncRNA-regulated tumor glycolytic pathways also offer the possibility of developing new therapeutic strategies. By regulating LncRNA expression, the metabolic pathways of tumor cells can be interfered with to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis, thus affecting the immune and drug resistance mechanisms of tumor cells. In addition, lncRNAs have the capacity to function as molecular markers and target therapies, thereby contributing novel strategies and approaches to the field of personalized cancer therapy and prognosis evaluation. In conclusion, LncRNA, as key molecules regulating the tumor glycolysis pathway, reveals a new mechanism of abnormal metabolism in cancer cells. Future research will more thoroughly investigate the specific mechanisms of LncRNA glycolysis regulation and develop corresponding therapeutic strategies, thereby fostering new optimism for the realization of precision medicine.

The functions and mechanisms of long non-coding RNA in colorectal cancer

CRC poses a significant challenge in the global health domain, with a high number of deaths attributed to this disease annually. If CRC is detected only in its advanced stages, the difficulty of treatment increases significantly. Therefore, biomarkers for the early detection of CRC play a crucial role in improving patient outcomes and increasing survival rates. The development of a reliable biomarker for early detection of CRC is particularly important for timely diagnosis and treatment. However, current methods for CRC detection, such as endoscopic examination, blood, and stool tests, have certain limitations and often only detect cases in the late stages. To overcome these constraints, researchers have turned their attention to molecular biomarkers, which are considered a promising approach to improving CRC detection. Non-invasive methods using biomarkers such as mRNA, circulating cell-free DNA, microRNA, LncRNA, and proteins can provide more reliable diagnostic information. These biomarkers can be found in blood, tissue, stool, and volatile organic compounds. Identifying molecular biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity for the early and safe, economic, and easily measurable detection of CRC remains a significant challenge for researchers.

Emerging roles of long noncoding RNAs in enzymes related intracellular metabolic pathways in cancer biology

Metabolic reprogramming plays critical roles in the development and progression of tumor by providing cancer cells with a sufficient supply of nutrients and other factors needed for fast-proliferating. Emerging evidence indicates that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the initiation of metastasis via regulating the metabolic reprogramming in various cancers. In this paper, we aim to summarize that lncRNAs could participate in intracellular nutrient metabolism including glucose, amino acid, lipid, and nucleotide, regardless of whether lncRNAs have tumor-promoting or tumor-suppressor function. Meanwhile, modulation of lncRNAs in glucose metabolic enzymes in glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway and tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) in cancer is reviewed. We also discuss therapeutic strategies targeted at interfering with enzyme activity to decrease the utilization of glucoses, amino acid, nucleotide acid and lipid in tumor cells. This review focuses on our current understanding of lncRNAs participating in cancer cell metabolic reprogramming, paving the way for further investigation into the combination of such approaches with existing anti-cancer therapies.

Prostate cancer-associated transcript 6 (PCAT6) promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and stemness and worsens prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer

Approximately 20% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients are first diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) because they develop symptoms at an advanced stage. Despite advancements in treatment, patients with metastatic disease still experience inferior survival rates. Our objective is to investigate the association between long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and prognosis and to explore their role in mCRC. In this study, we find that elevated expression of PCAT6 is independently linked to unfavourable survival outcomes in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data, and this finding is further confirmed in CRC samples obtained from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. Cell lines and xenograft mouse models are used to examine the impact of PCAT6 on tumor metastasis. Knockdown of PCAT6 is observed to impede the metastatic phenotype of CRC, as evidenced by functional assays, demonstrating the suppression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness. Our findings show the significance of PCAT6 in mCRC and its potential use as a prognostic biomarker.

Role of long non-coding RNA ELFN1-AS1 in carcinogenesis

As one of the leading causes of death worldwide, cancer significantly burdens patients and the healthcare system. The role of long non-protein coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in carcinogenesis has been extensively studied. The lncRNA ELFN1-AS1 was discovered recently, and subsequent studies have revealed its aberrantly high expression in various cancer tissues. In vitro and in vivo experiments have consistently demonstrated the close association between increased ELFN1-AS1 expression and malignant tumor characteristics, particularly in gastrointestinal malignancies. Functional assays have further revealed the mechanistic role of ELFN1-AS1 as a competitive endogenous RNA for microRNAs, inducing tumor growth, invasive features, and drug resistance. Additionally, the investigation into the clinical implication of ELFN1-AS1 has demonstrated its potential as a diagnostic, therapeutic, and, notably, prognostic marker. This review provides a comprehensive summary of evidence regarding the involvement of ELFN1-AS1 in cancer initiation and development, highlighting its clinical significance.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase: a therapeutic target for ovarian cancer

INTRODUCTION

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a gynecological tumor disease, which is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage and has a poor prognosis. It has been established that the glucose metabolism rate of cancer cells is significantly higher than that of normal cells, and the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) is an important branch pathway for glucose metabolism. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is the key rate-limiting enzyme in the PPP, which plays an important role in the initiation and development of cancer (such as OC), and has been considered as a promisinganti-cancer target.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, based on the structure and biological function of G6PD, recent research on the roles of G6PD in the progression, metastasis, and chemoresistance of OC are summarized and accompanied by proposed molecular mechanisms, which may provide a systematic understanding of targeting G6PD for the treatment of patients with OC.

EXPERT OPINION

Accumulating evidence demonstrates that G6PD is a promising target of cancer. The development of G6PD inhibitors for cancer treatment merits broad application prospects.