MicroRNA-367-3p directly targets RAB23 and inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells and increases cisplatin sensitivity

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the biological role of miR-367-3p upregulation in bladder cancer and verified the mutual relation between miR-367-3p and RAB23.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Expression levels of miR-367-3p were determined by RT-qPCR in bladder cancer cell lines and human bladder cancer tissues. The effects of miR-367-3p on proliferation, migration and invasion were evaluated by cell colony formation assays, wound healing assays and trans-well assays, respectively. The effects of miR-367-3p and RAB23 on cisplatin sensitivity of bladder cancer cells were assessed by CCK-8 assay. The expression of its target-RAB23 was determined by western blotting in T24, 5637. Plasmids used in dual-luciferase assays were constructed to confirm the action of miR-367-3p on downstream target-RAB23 in T24 cells. And also, the role of miR-367-3p in tumorigenesis was also confirmed in nude mouse models.

RESULTS

The downregulation of miR-367-3p was observed in human bladder cancer tissues. MiR-367-3p downregulation positively correlated with tumor stage and tumor grade. MiR-367-3p overexpression in T24, 5637 cells suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of bladder cancer cells in vitro while decreasing IC50 values under T24 and 5637 cisplatin treatment conditions. RAB23 was shown to be upregulated in bladder cancer tissues and cell lines. MiR-367-3p directly bound to the 3' UTR of RAB23 in T24 cells. RAB23 was potentially accounted for the aforementioned functions of miR-367-3p. Tumor formation experiments in nude mouse models confirmed that overexpression of miR-367-3p could inhibit tumor growth and invasion in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

miR-367-3p acts as a tumor suppressor in bladder cancer by downregulating RAB23 signaling. We conjecture that miR-367-3p-mediated downregulation of RAB23 expression may be a new therapeutic strategy for bladder cancer treatment.

Comprehensive bioinformatics analysis reveals the oncogenic role of FoxM1 and its impact on prognosis, immune microenvironment, and drug sensitivity in osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma, a highly malignant bone tumor primarily affecting adolescents, presents a significant challenge in cancer therapy due to its resistance to chemotherapy. This study explores the multifaceted impact of the transcription factor FoxM1 on osteosarcoma, shedding light on its pivotal role in tumor progression, immune microenvironment modulation, and drug response. Utilizing publicly available datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and Therapeutically Applicable Research To Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) databases, we conducted an in-depth bioinformatics analysis. Our findings illuminate the far-reaching implications of FoxM1 in osteosarcoma, emphasizing its significance as a potential therapeutic target. Differential expression analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed FoxM1's influence on critical pathways related to apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, and DNA repair. Notably, FoxM1 expression correlated with poor clinical outcomes in osteosarcoma patients, highlighting its prognostic relevance. Additionally, FoxM1 was found to modulate the immune microenvironment within tumor tissues, impacting immune cell infiltration, immunomodulators, immune checkpoints, and chemokines. Furthermore, a prognostic model based on FoxM1-coexpressed genes demonstrated its effectiveness in predicting patient survival. Drug sensitivity analysis indicated FoxM1's association with drug response, potentially guiding personalized treatment approaches. Hub gene screening identified RAB23 as a key target regulated by FoxM1, with RAB23 shown to influence osteosarcoma cell growth. This study also confirmed FoxM1's overexpression in osteosarcoma tissues compared to normal tissues, and its association with clinicopathological characteristics, including clinical stage, pathological type, and lung metastasis. In conclusion, FoxM1 emerges as a central player in the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma, impacting gene expression, immune responses, and therapeutic outcomes. This comprehensive analysis deepens our understanding of FoxM1's role in osteosarcoma and offers potential avenues for improved diagnosis and treatment.

RAB23 regulates musculoskeletal development and patterning

RAB23 is a small GTPase which functions at the plasma membrane to regulate growth factor signaling. Mutations in RAB23 cause Carpenter syndrome, a condition that affects normal organogenesis and patterning. In this study, we investigate the role of RAB23 in musculoskeletal development and show that it is required for patella bone formation and for the maintenance of tendon progenitors. The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in mammals and plays a critical role during movement by providing structural and mechanical support to the knee. Rab23 ^-/- mice fail to form a patella and normal knee joint. The patella is formed from Sox9 and scleraxis (Scx) double-positive chondroprogenitor cells. We show that RAB23 is required for the specification of SOX9 and scleraxis double-positive patella chondroprogenitors during the formation of patella anlagen and the subsequent establishment of patellofemoral joint. We find that scleraxis and SOX9 expression are disrupted in Rab23 ^-/- mice, and as a result, development of the quadriceps tendons, cruciate ligaments, patella tendons, and entheses is either abnormal or lost. TGFβ-BMP signaling is known to regulate patella initiation and patella progenitor differentiation and growth. We find that the expression of TGFβR2, BMPR1, BMP4, and pSmad are barely detectable in the future patella site and in the rudimentary tendons and ligaments around the patellofemoral joint in Rab23 ^-/- mice. Also, we show that GLI1, SOX9, and scleraxis, which regulate entheses establishment and maturation, are weakly expressed in Rab23 ^-/- mice. Further analysis of the skeletal phenotype of Rab23 ^-/- mice showed a close resemblance to that of Tgfβ2 ^-/- mice, highlighting a possible role for RAB23 in regulating TGFβ superfamily signaling.

Biomarker of Pulmonary Inflammatory Response in LUAD: miR-584-5p Targets RAB23 to Suppress Inflammation Induced by LPS in A549 Cells

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary inflammatory response (PIR) is one of the prognostic risk factors of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), with a high mortality rate.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate prognostic microRNA (miRNA) to improve clinical prognosis prediction and postoperative inflammation treatment in LUAD patients.

METHODS

About 201 differentially expressed microRNAs (DE-miRNAs) in LUAD were mined by differential analysis. Univariate/multivariate Cox analyses established and validated prognostic risk miRNAs in TCGA-LUAD. KEGG and GO were used to link risk signatures and biological functions. After 48 hours of exposure to 50 ng/mL LPS, the miR-584-5p/RAB23 regulatory network was verified in qRT-PCR, Western Blotting, and the Luciferase Reporter Assay in A549 cells.

RESULTS

MiR-584-5p and miR-101-3p were validated as riskscore correlated with LUAD patients' 1-year survival (p < 0.001) and participate in multiple inflammation-related pathways. RAB23, a RAS oncogene, is involved in inflammatory MAPK signaling. Evidence suggests that miR-584-5p regulates inflammation in LUAD by targeting RAB23. A549 cells were transfected with the mimic and inhibitor of miR-584-5p, confirming the negative regulatory relationship between miR-584-5p and RAB23. In the A549 induced by LPS, either over-expression of miR-584-5p or knock-down of RAB23 expression decreased the expression of inflammatory factors and increased cell viability.

CONCLUSION

Prognostic-related risk miR-584-5p can regulate the expression of RAB23 at both the mRNA and protein levels, thereby influencing the development of a PIR in LUAD. This will have significant implications for the clinical prognosis prediction and therapy decision-making of LUAD patients with PIR.

Expansion of the phenotypic and mutational spectrum of Carpenter syndrome

Carpenter syndrome 1 (CRPT1) is an acrocephalopolysyndactyly (ACPS) disorder characterized by craniosynostosis, polysyndactyly, obesity, and other malformations. It is caused by mutations in the gene RAB23. We are reporting on two patients from two unrelated consanguineous Egyptian families. Patient 1 presented with an atypical clinical presentation of Carpenter syndrome including overgrowth with advanced bone age, epileptogenic changes on electroencephalogram and autistic features. Patient 2 presented with typical clinical features suggestive of Carpenter syndrome. Therefore, Patient 1 was subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES) to find an explanation for his unusual features and Patient 2 was subjected to Sanger sequencing of the coding exons of theRAB23 gene to confirm the diagnosis. We identified a novel homozygous missense RAB23 variant (NM_001278668:c.T416C:p.Leu139Pro) in Patient 1 and a novel homozygous splicing variant (NM_016277.5:c.398+1G > A) in Patient 2. We suggest that the overgrowth with advanced bone age, electroencephalogram epileptogenic changes, and autistic features seen in Patient 1 are an expansion of the Carpenter phenotype and could be due to the novel missense RAB23 variant. Additionally, the novel identified RAB23 variants in Patient 1 and 2 broaden the spectrum of variants associated with Carpenter syndrome.

Carpenter syndrome in a patient from Tanzania

Carpenter syndrome (acrocephalopolysyndactyly type II) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. It was clinically diagnosed in a female baby with polysyndactyly and craniosynostosis in a referral clinic in Northern Tanzania. In the RAB23 gene, a previously described homozygous variant c.82C>T p.(Arg28*) was detected that results in a premature stop codon. Both parents were demonstrated to be heterozygous carriers of this variant. Herewith, its pathogenicity is proved. A literature search suggests this is the first molecularly confirmed case of Carpenter syndrome in continental Africa.

RAB23 coordinates early osteogenesis by repressing FGF10-pERK1/2 and GLI1

Mutations in the gene encoding Ras-associated binding protein 23 (RAB23) cause Carpenter Syndrome, which is characterized by multiple developmental abnormalities including polysyndactyly and defects in skull morphogenesis. To understand how RAB23 regulates skull development, we generated Rab23-deficient mice that survive to an age where skeletal development can be studied. Along with polysyndactyly, these mice exhibit premature fusion of multiple sutures resultant from aberrant osteoprogenitor proliferation and elevated osteogenesis in the suture. FGF10-driven FGFR1 signaling is elevated in Rab23^-/-sutures with a consequent imbalance in MAPK, Hedgehog signaling and RUNX2 expression. Inhibition of elevated pERK1/2 signaling results in the normalization of osteoprogenitor proliferation with a concomitant reduction of osteogenic gene expression, and prevention of craniosynostosis. Our results suggest a novel role for RAB23 as an upstream negative regulator of both FGFR and canonical Hh-GLI1 signaling, and additionally in the non-canonical regulation of GLI1 through pERK1/2.

Integrated analysis and knockdown of RAB23 indicate the role of RAB23 in gastric adenocarcinoma

Background

The present study aimed to identify key differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) in gastric adenocarcinoma.

Methods

We performed integrated analysis to determine DEGs and DEmiRNAs of gastric adenocarcinoma based on the GEO database. A DEmiRNA-target interaction network was established. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were utilized. Then, MKN45 cells were transfected with shRNA-RAB23 to knock down the expression of RAB23. CCK-8, transwell and flow cytometry assays were utilized to measure the capacities for cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis, and the apoptosis-related gene and protein levels were measured by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Colocalization analysis of Snc1 with the vesicular protein VAMP3 and the endoplasmic reticulum protein Calnexin was performed to assess the influence of RAB23 on vesicle transport. Finally, we performed metabolomic analysis by using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

Results

We performed MMIA of gastric adenocarcinoma based on two miRNA datasets and two mRNA datasets. A total of 4,586 DEmRNAs and 30 DEmiRNAs were obtained. The DEmRNAs of gastric adenocarcinoma were significantly enriched in PI3K/Akt signaling. We identified three interactions, hsa-miR-23a-3p-PTPN4, hsa-miR-20b-5p (hsa-miR-130a-3p)-TNFRSF10B, and hsa-miR-130a-3p (hsa-miR-363-3p)-RAB23, that may be related to the pathogenesis of gastric adenocarcinoma. The growth of MKN45 cells was inhibited by RAB23 knockdown via shRNA-RAB23 transfection. Metabolic analysis of three groups revealed a number of significantly altered metabolites, including glycerol, niacinamide, and nonadecanoic acid methylester.

Conclusions

RAB23 might be a target gene of hsa-miR-130a-3p and hsa-miR-363-3p. In gastric adenocarcinoma cells, knockdown of RAB23 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and increased apoptosis by downregulating the PI3K/Akt pathway.

miR-384 suppressed renal cell carcinoma cell proliferation and migration through targeting RAB23

microRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding, short, and endogenous RNAs that play crucial roles in tumor progression at the post-transcriptional level. Here, we studied the role of miR-384 in the pathogenesis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We demonstrated that miR-384 expression was downregulated in the RCC specimens compared with nontumor specimens. Moreover, we showed that RAB23 expression was upregulated in the RCC tissues compared with nontumor tissues. Furthermore, we demonstrated that low expression of miR-384 was correlated with high levels of RAB23 in RCC tissues. We also demonstrated that the RAB23 was a direct target gene of miR-384 in RCC cells. In addition, overexpression of miR-384 suppressed RCC cell proliferation, cell cycle, and cell migration. Furthermore, ectopic expression of RAB23 promoted RCC cell proliferation, cell cycle, and cell migration. These data suggested that miR-384 played a tumor suppressor microRNA in the development of RCC partly through inhibiting RAB23 expression.

miR-338-3p targets RAB23 and suppresses tumorigenicity of prostate cancer cells

MicroRNA-338-3p (miR-338-3p) has been implicated in several cancers; however, its role in human prostate cancer remains unknown. In this study, we observed downregulation of miR-338-3p in prostate cancer tissues and cell lines. Forced expression of miR-338-3p suppressed prostate cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and tumor growth in vivo, while apoptosis was induced. Further experiments revealed that RAB23 is a target of miR-338-3p because miR-338-3p bound directly to the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of RAB23 mRNA, thereby reducing both the mRNA and protein levels of RAB23. Reintroduction of RAB23 attenuated the inhibitory effects of miR-338-3p on proliferation, migration, and invasiveness of prostate cancer cells. In clinical samples, miR-338-3p levels negatively correlated with RAB23 expression, which was upregulated in prostate cancer. Collectively, these results indicate that miR-338-3p acts as a tumor suppressor in prostate cancer by directly targeting RAB23.

MiR-429 regulates the metastasis and EMT of HCC cells through targeting RAB23

Accumulating documents have revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in the development and progression of tumors. MiR-429 has been reported to be involved in regulating various cellular processes. However, its biological role and underlying mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still need to be further studied. The present study aimed to investigate the function of miR-429 in the progression of HCC. In terms of this paper, it was found that miR-429 was down-regulated in HCC tissues and cells. After being transfected with miR-429 mimics, miR-429 decreased the migratory capacity and reversed the EMT to MET in HCC cells. RAB23 was confirmed as a target of miR-429. Rescue assays further verified that the function of miR-429 in HCC cells was exerted through targeting RAB23. In general, it was concluded that the signal pathway miR-429/RAB23 might be a potential target for HCC treatment.

RAB23, regulated by miR-92b, promotes the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

RAB23, a member of Ras-related small GTPase family, has been reported to be up-regulated in several cancer types. However, its biological functions and the underlying molecular mechanisms for its oncogenic roles in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain unknown. In this study, we have shown that the expression of RAB23 was elevated in ESCC tissues and ESCC cells. Overexpression of RAB23 promoted the growth and migration of the ESCC cells, while knocking down the expression RAB23 inhibited the growth, migration and metastasis of the ESCC cells. The molecular mechanism study showed that RAB23 activated beta-catenin/TCF signaling and regulated the expression of several target genes. In the further study, it was found that the expression of RAB23 was regulated by the miR-92b. Forced expression of MiR-92b decreased the mRNA and protein level of RAB23, and RAB23 rescued the biological functions of miR-92b. Taken together, this study revealed the oncogenic roles and the regulation of RAB23 in ESCC, suggesting RAB23 might be a therapeutic target.

A Novel Aberrant Splice Site Mutation in RAB23 Leads to an Eight Nucleotide Deletion in the mRNA and Is Responsible for Carpenter Syndrome in a Consanguineous Emirati Family

Carpenter syndrome is caused by mutations in the RAB23 gene that encodes a small GTPase of the Rab subfamily of proteins. Rab proteins are known to be involved in the regulation of cellular trafficking and signal transduction. Currently, only few mutations in RAB23 have been reported in patients with Carpenter syndrome. In this paper, we report the clinical features, molecular and functional analysis of 2 children from an Emirati consanguineous family with this syndrome. The affected children exhibit the typical features including craniosynostosis, typical facial appearance, polysyndactyly, and obesity. Molecular analysis of the RAB23 gene revealed a homozygous mutation affecting the first nucleotide of the acceptor splice site of exon 5 (c.482-1G>A). This mutation affects the authentic mRNA splicing and activates a cryptic acceptor site within exon 5. Thus, the erroneous splicing results in an eight nucleotide deletion, followed by a frameshift and premature termination codon at position 161 (p.V161fsX3). Due to the loss of the C-terminally prenylatable cysteine residue, the truncated protein will probably fail to associate with the target cellular membranes due to the absence of the necessary lipid modification. The p.V161fsX3 extends the spectrum of RAB23 mutations and points to the crucial role of prenylation in the pathogenesis of Carpenter syndrome within this family.