circRPS19 affects HK2‑mediated aerobic glycolysis and cell viability via the miR‑125a‑5p/USP7 pathway in gastric cancer

Role of the USP7/FOXO3A axis in environmentally relevant doses of arsenic-induced lung carcinogenesis: Insights from bioinformatics analysis and model of human epithelial cell malignant transformation

Arsenic (As) is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Exposure to As has been associated with an increased risk of various cancers, particularly lung cancer. However, the precise molecular mechanisms contributing to this carcinogenesis are not well understood. In our study, we analyzed transcriptomic data from the GEO database (GSE36684), identifying 764 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in BEAS-2B cells treated with environmentally relevant doses of As for 8 weeks. A KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the FoxO pathway activation might be a novel key signaling event in As-induced carcinogenesis. We further analyzed the expression of 11 DEGs involved in the FoxO pathway using the TCGA-LUSC dataset. The findings revealed that four genes displayed expression patterns in tumor tissues consistent with those observed after As treatment in GEO dataset. Among them, USP7 was upregulated, while ATM, S1PR1, and PLK2 were downregulated in cancer tissues. High USP7 expression was specifically linked to a poor prognosis in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). To explore the role of USP7 in As-induced malignant transformation, BEAS-2B cells were exposed to NaAsO2 concentrations of 0.2 μM and 2 μM for up to 20 weeks. Experimental results confirmed that NaAsO2 treatment suppressed the FoxO transcriptional activity by upregulating USP7 expression, subsequently downregulating ATM and PLK2 expression, which led to abnormalities in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. Notably, knocking down USP7 in As-transformed cells resulted in significant reductions in cell proliferation, colony formation, and tumor formation ability in nude mice, indicating the USP7-regulated FOXO3A pathway could be central to As-induced lung carcinogenesis. Moreover, our research demonstrated that USP7 inhibited FOXO3A's ability to translocate from the cytoplasm to the nucleus by affecting its monoubiquitination status. Additionally, we speculated that As-induced the elevation of USP7 expression due to the excessive inflammatory cytokines secretion and the activation of mTORC1/WTAP pathway. These findings offer novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying As-mediated lung cancer.

Atorvastatin inhibits glioma glycolysis and immune escape by modulating the miR-125a-5p/TXLNA axis

BACKGROUND

Conventional treatments, including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, have many limitations in the prognosis of glioma patients. Atorvastatin (ATOR) has a significant inhibitory effect on glioma malignancy. Thus, ATOR may play a key role in the search for new drugs for the effective treatment of gliomas.

METHODS

U87 cells were treated with different doses of ATOR and transfected. Viability was assessed using MTT, proliferative ability was determined using the colony formation test, Bax and Bcl-2 were identified using Western blot, apoptosis was identified using flow cytometry, and U87 cell migration and invasion were detected using the Transwell assay. Glucose uptake, lactate secretion, and ATP production in U87 cell culture medium were quantified. The positive rates of IFN-γ and TNF-α in CD8T were measured through flow cytometry. Subcutaneous injection of U87 cells was carried out to construct an in vivo mouse model of gliom, followed by HE staining to assess the effects of ATOR and miR-125a-5p on tumor development.

RESULTS

ATOR blocked the viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion of U87 cells through the miR-125a-5p/TXLNA axis, and suppressed glycolysis and immune escape of glioma cells. Furthermore, overexpressing miR-125a-5p enhanced the anti-tumor effect of ATOR in vivo.

CONCLUSION

ATOR blocks glioma progression by modulating the miR-125a-5p/TXLNA axis, further demonstrating that ATOR provides an effective therapeutic target for the treatment of glioma.

Dysregulation of deubiquitinases in gastric cancer progression

Gastric cancer (GC), characterized by a high incidence rate, poses significant clinical challenges owing to its poor prognosis despite advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving GC progression is crucial for identifying predictive markers and defining treatment targets. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), also called deubiquitinases, function as reverse transcriptases within the ubiquitin-proteasome system to counteract protein degradation. Recent findings suggest that DUB dysregulation could be a crucial factor in GC pathogenesis. In this review, we examined recent research findings on DUBs in the context of GC, elucidating their molecular characteristics, categorizations, and roles while also exploring the potential mechanisms underlying their dysregulation in GC. Furthermore, we assessed the therapeutic efficacy of DUB inhibitors in treating malignancies and evaluated the prevalence of aberrant DUB expression in GC.

CircFLNA facilitates gastric cancer cell proliferation and glycolysis via regulating SOX5 by sponging miR-1200

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are important regulators for gastric cancer (GC) progression. Our study aims to investigate the role and mechanism of circFLNA in GC progression.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The levels of circFLNA, microRNA (miR)-1200 and SRY-box transcription factor 5 (SOX5) were examined using qRT-PCR. Flow cytometry, cell counting kit 8 assay and EdU assay were performed to measure cell proliferation and apoptosis. Cell glycolysis ability was assessed by examining glucose uptake and lactate produce. RNA interaction was determined using RNA pull-down assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay. Mice xenograft models were constructed to evaluate the regulation of circFLNA knockdown on GC tumor growth.

RESULTS

CircFLNA was upregulated in GC tissues. Functional experiments showed that circFLNA knockdown suppressed GC cell proliferation, inhibited glycolysis, and promoted apoptosis in vitro, as well as reduced GC tumor growth in vivo. CircFLNA sponged miR-1200, and miR-1200 targeted SOX5. MiR-1200 mimic reversed the promotion effect of circFLNA overexpression on GC cell growth and glycolysis, and SOX5 upregulation also abolished the inhibiting effect of miR-1200 mimic on GC cell growth and glycolysis.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that circFLNA might exert oncogenic role in GC development, which promoted GC proliferation and glycolysis through regulating miR-1200/SOX5 axis.

Exploring the impact of circRNAs on cancer glycolysis: Insights into tumor progression and therapeutic strategies

Cancer cells exhibit altered metabolic pathways, prominently featuring enhanced glycolytic activity to sustain their rapid growth and proliferation. Dysregulation of glycolysis is a well-established hallmark of cancer and contributes to tumor progression and resistance to therapy. Increased glycolysis supplies the energy necessary for increased proliferation and creates an acidic milieu, which in turn encourages tumor cells' infiltration, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as pivotal players in diverse biological processes, including cancer development and metabolic reprogramming. The interplay between circRNAs and glycolysis is explored, illuminating how circRNAs regulate key glycolysis-associated genes and enzymes, thereby influencing tumor metabolic profiles. In this overview, we highlight the mechanisms by which circRNAs regulate glycolytic enzymes and modulate glycolysis. In addition, we discuss the clinical implications of dysregulated circRNAs in cancer glycolysis, including their potential use as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. All in all, in this overview, we provide the most recent findings on how circRNAs operate at the molecular level to control glycolysis in various types of cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), prostate cancer (PCa), colorectal cancer (CRC), cervical cancer (CC), glioma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), breast cancer, and gastric cancer (GC). In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the significance of circRNAs in cancer glycolysis, shedding light on their intricate roles in tumor development and presenting innovative therapeutic avenues.

Ubiquitination and deubiquitination in cancer: from mechanisms to novel therapeutic approaches

Ubiquitination, a pivotal posttranslational modification of proteins, plays a fundamental role in regulating protein stability. The dysregulation of ubiquitinating and deubiquitinating enzymes is a common feature in various cancers, underscoring the imperative to investigate ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases (DUBs) for insights into oncogenic processes and the development of therapeutic interventions. In this review, we discuss the contributions of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in all hallmarks of cancer and progress in drug discovery. We delve into the multiple functions of the UPS in oncology, including its regulation of multiple cancer-associated pathways, its role in metabolic reprogramming, its engagement with tumor immune responses, its function in phenotypic plasticity and polymorphic microbiomes, and other essential cellular functions. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive overview of novel anticancer strategies that leverage the UPS, including the development and application of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and molecular glues.

Cancer-associated fibroblast-derived WNT5A promotes cell proliferation, metastasis, stemness and glycolysis in gastric cancer via regulating HK2

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Tumor microenvironment plays an important role in tumor progression. This study aims to explore the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in GC and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Cell viability, proliferation, invasion and migration were assessed by MTT, EdU, transwell and wound healing assays, respectively. Sphere formation assay was used to evaluate cell stemness. Glucose consumption, lactate production and ATP consumption were measured to assess glycolysis. In addition, The RNA and protein expression were detected by qRT-PCR and western blot. The interaction between wingless Type MMTV Integration Site Family, Member 5 A (WNT5A) and hexokinase 2 (HK2) was verified by Co-immunoprecipitation. The xenograft model was established to explore the function of CAFs on GC tumor growth in vivo.

RESULTS

CAFs promoted the proliferation, metastasis, stemness and glycolysis of GC cells. WNT5A was upregulated in CAFs, and CAFs enhanced WNT5A expression in GC cells. Knockdown of WNT5A in either GC cells or CAFs repressed the progression of GC cells. In addition, WNT5A promoted HK2 expression, and overexpression of HK2 reversed the effect of WNT5A knockdown in CAFs on GC cells. Besides, knockdown of WNT5A in CAFs inhibits tumor growth in vivo.

CONCLUSION

CAF-derived WNT5A facilitates the progression of GC via regulating HK2 expression.

CircRNA_101491 regulated the radiation sensitivity of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas via sponging miR-125a-5p

BACKGROUND

At present, it has been found that many patients have acquired resistance to radiotherapy, which greatly reduces the effect of radiotherapy and further affects the prognosis. CircRNAs is involved in the regulation of radiosensitivity of many kinds of tumor cells. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to explore the regulatory effect of CircRNA_101491 on radiosensitivity of ESCC and its related mechanism.

METHODS

We established ESCC radiation-resistant cell line (KYSE150R cell) by gradient dose method, and tested the difference of KYSE150 between KYSE150R cell and parent cell in vitro. Then, after knocking down the expression of CircRNA_101491, a series of in vitro experiments were conducted to verify the effects of CircRNA_101491 on the phenotype and radiosensitivity of KYSE150R cells, and further analyzed the related regulatory mechanism. In addition, we also used the model of transplanted tumor in nude mice to investigate the effect of CircRNA_101491 on the radiosensitivity of ESCC in vivo.

RESULTS

According to a series of in vitro experiments, we confirmed that KYSE150R cells lost the epithelial phenotype and obtained interstitial cell-like phenotype, and found that CircRNA_101491 was highly expressed in KYSE150R cells. In addition, we found that knocking down the expression of CircRNA_101491 will lift the inhibition of miR-125a-5p, and then reverse the process of EMT, accelerate the process of apoptosis, thus play a role in radiosensitization. The in vivo experiment of transplanted tumor in nude mice also showed that knocking down the expression of CircRNA_101491 could enhance the radiosensitivity of ESCC.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we confirmed that interfering with the expression of CircRNA_101491 can relieve the inhibition of miR-125a-5p, thus reverse the process of interstitial phenotype, accelerate the process of apoptosis, and enhance the radiosensitivity of ESCC.

Ubiquitin-specific proteases: From biological functions to potential therapeutic applications in gastric cancer

Deubiquitination, a post-translational modification regulated by deubiquitinases, is essential for cancer initiation and progression. Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) are essential elements of the deubiquitinase family, and are overexpressed in gastric cancer (GC). Through the regulation of several signaling pathways, such as Wnt/β-Catenin and nuclear factor-κB signaling, and the promotion of the expression of deubiquitination- and stabilization-associated proteins, USPs promote the proliferation, metastasis, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of GC. In addition, the expression of USPs is closely related to clinicopathological features, patient prognosis, and chemotherapy resistance. USPs therefore could be used as prognostic biomarkers. USP targeting small molecule inhibitors have demonstrated strong anticancer activity. However, they have not yet been tested in the clinic. This article provides an overview of the latest fundamental research on USPs in GC, aiming to enhance the understanding of how USPs contribute to GC progression, and identifying possible targets for GC treatment to improve patient survival.

Molecular profile of non-coding RNA-mediated glycolysis control in human cancers

The glycolysis is a common characteristic of cancer and it is responsible for providing enough energy to ensure growth. The glycolysis suppression is beneficial in tumor growth reduction. The stimulation/inhibition of glycolysis in cancer is tightly regulated by ncRNAs. The regulation of glycolysis by ncRNAs can influence proliferation and therapy response of tumor. The miRNAs are capable of inactivating enzymes responsible for glycolysis and suppressing signaling networks resulting in glycolysis induction. By regulation of glycolysis, miRNAs can affect therapy response. The lncRNAs and circRNAs follow a same pathway and by targeting glycolysis, they affect progression and therapy response of tumor. Noteworthy, lncRNAs and circRNAs sponge miRNAs in glycolysis mechanism control in tumor cells. Furthermore, ncRNA-mediated regulation of glycolysis mechanism can influence metastasis to organs of body. The ncRNAs regulating glycolysis are reliable biomarkers in cancer patients and more importantly, exosomal ncRNAs due to their presence in body fluids, are minimally-invasive biomarkers.