[MiR-301a-5p modulates parathyroid hormone secretion in secondary hyperparathyroidism possibly by regulating calcium-sensing receptor]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the miRNAs that down- regulate calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) in secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) and their effects on parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion.

METHODS

Whole transcriptome sequencing was performed for 6 normal parathyroid tissue samples and 11 SHPT parathyroid tissue samples. Based on bioinformatic prediction, we screened out 7 candidate miRNAs that regulate CaSR, among which the most likely miRNA for CaSR regulation was identified by double luciferase test. We detected the differential expression of miR-301a-5p and CaSR mRNA in SHPT and normal parathyroid tissue using qRT-PCR, and analyzed the correlation between their expressions and serum PTH levels of the patients. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of CaSR protein in primary SHPT parathyroid cells transfected with miR-301a-5p mimics or inhibitors, and the level of PTH in the supernatant of the cell culture was determined.

RESULTS

Among the preliminarily selected 7 miRNAs that potentially regulate CaSR (miR-15a-5p, miR-15b-5p, miR- 16- 5p, miR- 221- 3p, miR- 222- 3p, miR- 301a- 5p and miR- 503- 5p), miR- 301a-5p was significantly upregulated in SHPT compared with normal parathyroid tissue (P < 0.05), and its expression appeared to be positively correlated with PTH level, but this correlation was not statistically significant (P > 0.05); The expression of CaSR mRNA was significantly downregulated in SHPT (P < 0.05), and its expression tended to inversely correlate with the patient's PTH level, but the correlation was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In primary culture of SHPT parathyroid cells, miR-301a-5p overexpression caused a significant decrease of CaSR protein expression (P < 0.05), and conversely, inhibition of miR-301a-5p expression increased the expression of CaSR protein (P < 0.05). Although miR-301a-5p overexpression did not significantly affect PTH secretion of the cells (P > 0.05), inhibition of iR-301a-5p expression strongly increased the secretion of PTH (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

MiR-301a-5p affects PTH secretion in SHPT possibly by regulating the expression of CaSR.

MicroRNA-mediated high expression of PDIA3 was correlated with poor prognosis of patients with LUAD

Lung cancer, especially lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) as the most common subtype has threatened the health of people. Even though more and more patients diagnosed as LUAD could be treated efficiently or even cured, a spilt of patients still suffer from disease. Here, on the basis of previous research, we firstly performed the mRNA expression of PDIA3 in pan-cancer, and differential expression between tumor and normal groups was followed. We further analyzed the survival difference and ultimately the expression of PDIA3 in LUAD was selected as our current study. Next, we investigated the mRNA and protein expression of PDIA3 from online databases and performed qRT-PCR and western blotting to verify the outcomes. We still analyzed the correlation between the expression of PDIA3 and clinicopathologic parameters and predicted the potential signal pathways as well as the possible upstream molecular of PDIA3. Considering the correlation of PDIA3 and immune infiltration, related analysis of PDIA3 and immune biomarkers along with PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4 were made. We clarified the expression of PDIA3 was upregulated in LUAD and its oncogenic role may be played through tumor infiltration. Thus targeting PDIA3 and immune checkpoint could enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy on patients with LUAD.

miR-301a-5p Regulates TGFB2 during Chicken Spermatogenesis

The process of spermatogenesis is complex and systemic, requiring the cooperation of many regulators. However, little is known about how micro RNAs (miRNAs) regulate spermatogenesis in poultry. In this study, we investigated key miRNAs and their target genes that are involved in spermatogenesis in chickens. Next-generation sequencing was conducted to determine miRNA expression profiles in five cell types: primordial germ cells (PGCs), spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), spermatogonia (Spa), and chicken sperm. Next, we analyzed and identified several key miRNAs that regulate spermatogenesis in the four germline cell miRNA profiles. Among the enriched miRNAs, miRNA-301a-5p was the key miRNA in PGCs, SSCs, and Spa. Through reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), dual-luciferase, and miRNA salience, we confirmed that miR-301a-5p binds to transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGFβ2) and is involved in the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway and germ cell development. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of miR-301a-5p involvement in spermatogenesis by direct binding to TGFβ2, a key gene in the TGF-β signaling pathway. This finding contributes to the insights into the molecular mechanism through which miRNAs regulate germline cell differentiation and spermatogenesis in chickens.

MiR-301a-5p/SCIN promotes gastric cancer progression via regulating STAT3 and NF-κB signaling

Objective: Gastric cancer (GC) is a type of highly malignant cancer. Although the diagnostic and therapeutic methods are innovating, the outcome of GC patients is still poor. Therefore, our research was carried out to explore potential molecular mechanism in the diagnosis of GC.

Materials and methods: Bioinformatics analyses were used to obtain microRNA and target mRNA of interest. The expression level of miR-301a-5p and Scinderin (SCIN) mRNA were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Western blot assay was used to investigate SCIN protein level. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay (CCK-8) and colony formation assay were used to investigate cell proliferation ability. Transwell assay was employed to examine cell motility. The interaction between miR-301a-5p and SCIN mRNA was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay.

Results: The qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of miR-301a-5p was higher in gastric cancer tissues than para-cancer tissues (P<0.05). Cox regression analysis showed upregulated miR-301a-5p was associated with larger tumor size (P=0.036) and more advanced TNM stage (P=0.048). The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a correlation between increased miR-301a-5p expression and shorter overall survival (OS)(P=0.018). By using bioinformatic analysis, SCIN was predicted as one of the targets of miR-301a-5p. Overexpressing miR-301a-5p promoted proliferation and motility of GC cells while knockdown of SCIN exhibited the same performance. Further, we verified the alteration of miR-301a-5p and SCIN expression level could affect the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progression on GC cells via STAT3 and NF-κB signaling.

Conclusion: Highly expressed miR-301a-5p was associated with aggressiveness of GC. Upregulation of miR-301a-5p promoted malignant phenotype of GC by targeting SCIN. The present results indicated miR-301a-5p might be a promising molecule in the prognosis of GC.

Long noncoding RNA EPB41L4A-AS2 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma development by sponging miR-301a-5p and targeting FOXL1

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the major histological type of liver cancer with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) has been proved to be associated with various cancer types, while its regulation in HCC is largely unknown.

METHODS

To figure out the specific role of lncRNA EPB41L4A-AS2 in HCC. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was first used to determine the cellular sublocalization of EPB41L4A-AS2 to determine its primary mode of action. QRT-PCR, Western blot and hematoxylin-eosin staining were then used to measure the expression of genes in cells and tissues. Cell proliferation and invasion assays were performed to determine the effects of EPB41L4A-AS2, miR-301a-5p and FOXL1 on the malignant phenotype of tumor cells. With luciferase reporter assay, the direct interaction between target genes were further confirmed for research on molecular mechanism. Finally, the mice hepatocarcinoma model was also established to disclose the tumor suppressor effects of EPB41L4A-AS2 in vivo.

RESULTS

Here, we have identified a novel lncRNA EPB41L4A-AS2, which is significantly downregulated both in HCC cells and tissues, and plays a negative regulatory role in HCC proliferation and invasion. Mechanistically, cytoplasmic lncRNA EPB41L4A-AS2 functions as an efficient miR-301a-5p sponge, thereby release the expression inhibition of forkhead box L1 (FOXL1). Indeed, lncRNA EPB41L4A-AS2 inhibits proliferation and migration by upregulating FOXL1 expression and FOXL1 was confirmed as a direct target of miR-301a-5p. MiR-301a-5p shows an inverse correlation with EPB41L4A-AS2 expression and was verified as a direct target of EPB41L4A-AS2 as well. Correspondingly, FOXL1 and miR-301a-5p show opposite biological effects in cell proliferation and migration. Moreover, miR-301a-5p overexpression rescued the EPB41L4A-AS2 upregulation induced depression in proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells, as well as promotion effect on FOXL1 expression. Also, in vivo experiments proved that EPB41L4A-AS2 suppress tumor growth and extrahepatic metastasis (lung) via the miR-301a-5p-FOXL1 axis.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, this research revealed a concrete mechanism of lncRNA EPB41L4A-AS2 in HCC, which may serve as a potential biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets for further clinical application.