scholarly journals Mcl-1 Is a Novel Target of miR-26b That Is Associated with the Apoptosis Induced by TRAIL in HCC Cells

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunlin Jiang ◽  
Jianting Long ◽  
Baoxian Liu ◽  
Xiaoyan Xie ◽  
Ming Kuang

Aim. To investigate the role of miR-26b and Mcl-1 in TRAIL-inducing cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods. The expression of miR-26b and Mcl-1 in HCC was detected by RT-qPCR and western blot. The regulation of Mcl-1 by miR-26b was determined by luciferase reporter assay. MTT and flow cytometry were employed to detect the cell viability and apoptosis.Results. miR-26b is commonly downregulated in HCC cell lines compared with the LO2 cell line. In contrast, the Mcl-1 expression is upregulated in HCC cell lines. Bioinformatic analysis identified a putative target site in the Mcl-1 mRNA for miR-26b and luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-26b directly targeted the 3′-UTR (3′-Untranslated Regions) of Mcl-1 mRNA. Transfection of miR-26b mimics suppressed Mcl-1 expression in HCC cells and sensitized the cancer cells to TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) cytotoxicity. In addition, transfection of HCC cells with Mcl-1 expression plasmid abolished the sensitization effect of miR-26b to TRAIL-inducing apoptosis.Conclusions. Our study showed that miR-26b was a negative regulator of Mcl-1 gene and sensitized TRAIL-inducing apoptosis in HCC cells, suggesting that the miR-26b-Mcl-1 pathway might be a novel target for the treatment of HCC.

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 691-698
Author(s):  
Lin I-Ju ◽  
Tian YongJie

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of miR-624-5p in ovarian cancer.Methods: MiR-624-5p expression in ovarian cancer {OC) cell lines and normal cells (NCs) was evaluated and compared the differential miR-624-5p in OC A2780 cells and cisplatin-resistant OC cell line (A2780/DDP). CCK-8 was used to evaluate changes in cell viability of the A2780 and A2780/DDP cell lines as well as silenced miR-624-5p. Western Blot examined the Stat3 and phosphorylated Pi3k. The binding between PDGFRA and miR-624-5p was predicted on Targetscan and verified through Luciferase Reporter Assay. The role of PDGFRA in A2780/DDP by overexpressing PDGFRA was evaluated by RT-qPCR and CCK-8 assays. RT-qPCR assay also measured miR-624-5p expression responsive to different dosages of cisplatin and CCK8 examined viability levels correspondingly. In addition, the interplay of PDGFRA and miR-624-5p by combined downregulation of both miR-624-5pand PDGFRA were evaluated.Results: OC cells had higher miR-624-5p expression than NCs but lower compared to cisplatinresistant A2780/DDP cells. A2780/DDP cells had higher viability than OC cell line A2780. Stat3 and phosphorylated PI3K were activated in A2780/DDP cells. Silencing miR-624-5p led to lower viability inA2780/DDP cells. miR-624-5p expression dropped as the cisplatin concentration increased, resulting in decreasing viability respectively. Luciferase Reporter assay validated the binding of miR-624-5p and PDGFRA in A2780/DDP cells. Overexpressed PDGFRA induced lower cell viability in A2780/DDP cells. Downregulation of PDGFRA partially restored the lowered viability and inhibited Stat3 as well as phosphorylated Pi3k induced by miR-624-5p inhibitor.Conclusion: MiR-624-5p could add to the cellular resistance to cisplatin in OC in-vitro model, which indicated that it might help unveil the mystery of drug-resistance in clinical stage of ovarian cancer. Keywords: MiR-624-5p, resistance, cisplatin, PDGFRA/Stat3/PI3K, ovarian cancer


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Liu ◽  
Chengyi Song ◽  
Zhuoping Liang ◽  
Xiang Long ◽  
Min Guo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In the current study, we aim to demonstrate the biological function and molecular regulatory mechanisms of miR-221 in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: The quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the expression of miR-221 in NPC clinical tissues and cells. And the flow cytometry assay was used to demonstrate the role of miR-221 on cell cycle, and the potential target of miR-221 was predicted and identified using luciferase reporter assay.Results: Our results demonstrate that miR-221 expression was significantly decreased in NPC tissues and cell lines. We also confirmed that inhibition of miR-221 could induce G1/S cell cycle transition through upregulation of the cyclin D-CDK4/6 complex but not cyclin E-CDK2 complexes. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miR-221 could directly bind to the 3’-UTR of FBXW11. FBXW11 expression was found to increase in NPC, and was inversely correlated with miR-221 expression; thus, FBXW11 expression interfered in the biological function of miR-221. We further confirmed that miR-221 targeted FBXW11 to inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis in NPC cell lines through regulating the PTEN signaling pathway. Conclusion: our findings suggest that miR-221 plays an important role as a tumor suppressive factor in the occurrence and progression of NPC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Liu ◽  
Teng Cheng ◽  
Yaying Du ◽  
Xiaopeng Hu ◽  
Wenfei Xia

Abstract Background Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are novel regulatory molecules in breast cancer development. LncRNA LUCAT1 is a potential tumor promoter in human cancers. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of LUCAT1 in human breast cancer tissues and cells. Methods A total of 31 breast cancer patients who underwent tumor resection, but without chemo- or radiotherapy or acute lung/heart/kidney diseases, provided tumor and adjacent normal tissues. Bioinformatic analysis, qRT-PCR, and luciferase reporter assay were carried out during the study. Results qRT-PCR analysis indicated that, compared with the adjacent tissues and MCF-10A normal breast epithelial cells, LUCAT1 was markedly up-regulated in the breast cancer tissues and five BC cell lines, including MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-435, SKBR3, and MCF-7. The knockdown of LUCAT1, through the transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) specific to LUCAT1, resulted in inhibition of proliferation in breast cancer cells. The expression levels of miR-181a-5p were decreased in the breast cancer tissues and five BC cell lines. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assay suggested the interaction between miR-181a-5p and LUCAT1. In addition, the effects of LUCAT1 on promoting cell proliferation were attenuated by overexpression of miR-181a-5p through the transfection of miR-181a-5p mimic. Moreover, bioinformatics and luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-181a-5p targeted the 3′-UTR region of KLF6 and KLF15 mRNA, which were two tumor suppressor genes. LUCAT1/miR-181a-5p axis regulated the expression of KLF6 and KLF15 both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions Our data indicate that LUCAT1/miR-181a-5p axis can serve as a novel therapeutic target in breast cancer.


2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 2124-2138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Jianliang Xu ◽  
Shaoquan Zhang ◽  
Jun An ◽  
Jin Zhang ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Previous studies have demonstrated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may play critical roles in cancer biology, including Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HOXA cluster antisense RNA2 (HOXA-AS2) lncRNA plays an important role in carcinogenesis, however, the underlying role of HOXA-AS2 in HCC remains unknown. The present study examined the effects of HOXA-AS2 on the progression of HCC, and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect HOXA-AS2 expression in HCC tissues and cell lines. Furthermore, the effects of HOXA-AS2 silencing and overexpression on cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were assessed in HCC in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, bioinformatics online programs predicted and luciferase reporter assay were used to validate the association of HOXA-AS2 and miR-520c-3p in HCC cells. Results: We observed that HOXA-AS2 was up-regulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. In vitro experiments revealed that HOXA-AS2 knockdown significantly inhibited HCC cells proliferation by causing G1 arrest and promoting apoptosis, whereas HOXA-AS2 overexpression promoted cell growth. Further functional assays indicated that HOXA-AS2 significantly promoted HCC cell migration and invasion by promoting EMT. Bioinformatics online programs predicted that HOXA-AS2 sponge miR-520c-3p at 3’-UTR with complementary binding sites, which was validated using luciferase reporter assay. HOXA-AS2 could negatively regulate the expression of miR-520c-3p in HCC cells. MiR-520c-3p was down-regulated and inversely correlated with HOXA-AS2 expression in HCC tissues. miR-520c-3p suppressed cell proliferation, invasion and migration in HCC cells, and enforced expression of miR-520c-3p attenuated the oncogenic effects of HOXA-AS2 in HCC cells. By bioinformatic analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay, we found that miR-223-3p directly targeted the 3’-untranslated region (UTR) of Glypican-3 (GPC3), one of the key players in HCC. GPC3 was up-regulated in HCC tissues, and was negatively correlated with miR-520c-3p expression and positively correlated with HOXA-AS2 expression. Conclusion: In summary, our results suggested that the HOXA-AS2/miR-520c-3p/GPC3 axis may play an important role in the regulation of PTC progression, which could serve as a biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.


Author(s):  
Haitao Song ◽  
Yanwei Rao ◽  
Gang Zhang ◽  
Xiangbo Kong

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as pivotal regulators in the development and progression of various cancers, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MicroRNA-384 (miR-384) has been found to be an important cancer-related miRNA in several types of cancers. However, the role of miR-384 in RCC remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential function of miR-384 in regulating tumorigenesis in RCC. Here we found that miR-384 was significantly downregulated in RCC tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-384 significantly inhibited the growth and invasion of RCC cells, whereas inhibition of miR-384 had the opposite effects. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-384 directly targeted the 3′-untranslated region of astrocyte elevated gene 1 (AEG-1). Further data showed that miR-384 could negatively regulate the expression of AEG-1 in RCC cells. Importantly, miR-384 expression was inversely correlated with AEG-1 expression in clinical RCC specimens. Moreover, miR-384 regulates the activation of Wnt signaling. Overexpression of AEG-1 significantly reversed the antitumor effects of miR-384. Overall, these findings suggest that miR-384 suppresses the growth and invasion of RCC cells via downregulation of AEG-1, providing a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of RCC.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianli Ma ◽  
Wenhui Zhao ◽  
Han Zhang ◽  
Zhong Chu ◽  
Huili Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundBreast cancer is the main cause of death among women worldwide. More and more long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified as oncogenes or tumor suppressors during cancer development. However, whether ANRIL is involved in drug resistance in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has not been investigated. MethodsLuciferase reporter assay was conducted to verify the binding of miR-125a and ANRIL. RT-PCR and western blot were performed to detect the expression of miR-125a, ANRIL and ENO1. Gene silence and overexpression experiments as well as CCK-8 and colony formation assays on TNBC cell lines were performed to determine the regulation of molecular pathways. Glycolysis analysis was performed with Seahorse extracellular flux methodology. ResultsANRIL expression in TNBC patients and TNBC cells was examined and we found that ANRIL expression was upregulated in both TNBC patients and TNBC cell lines. Knockdown of ANRIL increased the cytotoxic effect of ADR and inhibited HIF-1α-dependent glycolysis in TNBC cells. In addition, we found that ANRIL negatively regulated miR-125a expression in TNBC cell lines. Besides, a dual-luciferase reporter assay proved ANRIL functioned as a sponger of miR-125a. Further investigation revealed that ENO1 was a target of miR-125a and positively regulated by ANRIL in TNBC cells. Additionally, ANRIL upregulation reversed miR-125-mediated inhibition on HIF-1α-dependent glycolysis in TNBC cells. More notably, 2-deoxy-glucose (2-DG) attenuated ANRIL-induced increase of drug resistance in TNBC cells. ConclusionsTaken together, our study was the first to identify that knockdown of ANRIL plays an active role in overcoming the drug resistance in TNBC by inhibiting glycolysis through the miR-125a/ENO1 pathway, which maybe serve useful for the development of novel therapeutic targets.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuai Xue ◽  
Fengqin Lu ◽  
Chunhui Sun ◽  
Jingjing Zhao ◽  
Honghua Zhen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background It has been reported that long-chain non-coding RNA (lncRNA) zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 antisense 1 (ZEB1-AS1) is an oncogene in various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the role and mechanism of ZEB1-AS1 as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) combined with miR-23c in HCC cell proliferation and invasion. Methods QRT-PCR was used to detect ZEB1-AS1 and miR-23c expressions in HCC tissues and cells. The dual luciferase reporter assay detected the targeted regulation of miR-23c and ZEB1-AS1. We also performed the correlation analysis of their expression in HCC tissues by the Spearman’s correlation analysis. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to detect the proliferation of hepatoma cells. Cell invasion was assessed by the Transwell assay. Results QRT-PCR results indicated ZEB1-AS1 was upregulated and miR-23c was downregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. ZEB1-AS1 knockdown hampered the proliferation and invasion of HCC cells. Dual luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-23c is a target of ZEB1-AS1, and ZEB1-AS1 was significantly negatively correlated with the miR-23c expression in HCC tissues. The results of MTT and Transwell assay showed that miR-23c inhibition restored the inhibitory effect of ZEB1-AS1 knockdown on HCC cells proliferation and invasion. Conclusions As a ceRNA, lncRNA ZEB1-AS1 may play a vital role in inhibiting HCC progression through miR-23c, which will provide new clues and theoretical basis for the HCC diagnosis and treatment.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengcheng Li ◽  
Junhui Xing ◽  
Jianwu Jiang ◽  
Xinyu Tian ◽  
Xuemeng Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most common malignant tumor in the head and neck that is characterized by high local malignant invasion and distant metastasis. miR-18a-5p reportedly plays an important role in tumorigenesis and development. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying miR-18a-5p’s role in NPC.Methods:Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-18a-5p in NPC tissues and cell lines. MTT assay and plate clone formation assay were used to detect the effect of miR-18a-5p on NPC cell proliferation. Woundhealing assays and Transwell assays were used to detect the effect of miR-18a-5p on NPC cell invasion and migration. The expressions of epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins N-cadherin, Vimentin, and E-cadherin were detected by Westernblot. Bioinformatics and dual-luciferase reporter assay were used to detect the targeting interaction between miR-18a-5p and SMAD2. Xenotransplantation and metastasis model were used to detect the effect of miR-18a-5p on NPC growth and metastasis in vivo.Results:miR-18a-5p was highly expressed in NPC tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-18a-5p promotedNPC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT process, whereas inhibition of miR-18a-5p expression led to the oppositeresults. Results of dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that SMAD2 was the target gene of miR-18a-5p, and SMAD2 could reverse the effect of miR-18a-5p on NPC cell line. Xenotransplantation and metastasis model experiments in nude mice showed that miR-18a-5p promotesNPC growth and metastasis in vivo.Conclusions:Targeting SMAD2 downregulated miR-18a-5p expression, thereby promoting NPC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Yang ◽  
Tianxiang Chen ◽  
Bowen Yao ◽  
Liang Wang ◽  
Runkun Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have obtained growing attention due to their potential effects as novel regulators in various tumors. This study aimed to investigate the expression and roles of lncRNA ZFPM2-AS1 in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Transwell was used to determine migration and invasion of HCC cells in vitro. The lung metastasis mouse model was established to detect tumor metastasis of HCC in vivo. The direct binding of miR-3612 to 3'UTR of DAM15 was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. The expression of ZFPM2-AS1 and miR-3612 in HCC specimens and cell lines were detected by real-time PCR. The correlation among ZFPM2-AS1 and miR-3612 were disclosed by a dual-luciferase reporter assay, RIP assay and biotin pull-down assay.Results: In present study, we found that ZFPM2-AS1 was up-regulated in HCC tissues and cells and its upregulation was associated with TNM stage, vascular invasion, and poor prognosis of HCC patients. Functionally, gain- and loss-of-function experiments indicated that ZFPM2-AS1 promoted cell migration, invasion and EMT progress in vitro and in vivo. ZFPM2-AS1 could function as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by sponging miR-3612 in HCC cells. Mechanically, miR-3612 inhibited HCC metastasis and alternation of miR-3612 reversed the promotive effects of ZFPM2-AS1 on HCC cells. In addition, we confirmed that ADAM15 was a direct target of miR-3612 in HCC and mediated the biological effects of miR-3612 and ZFPM2-AS1 in HCC. Curcumin, an active derivative from turmeric, exerts its anticancer effects through ZFPM2-AS1/miR-3612/ADAM15 pathway. Our data identified ZFPM2-AS1 as a novel oncogenic lncRNA and correlated malignant clinical outcomes in HCC patients. Conclusions: ZFPM2-AS1 performed as oncogenic role via targeting miR-3612 and subsequently promoted ADAM15 expression in HCC. Our results revealed that ZFPM2-AS1 could be a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
Bangming Pu ◽  
Yong Cao ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Li Tang ◽  
Jiyi Xia ◽  
...  

Purpose: To explore the molecular function of miR-196b-5p in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods: MiR-196b-5p expression levels in HCC tissue samples were assessed by qRT-PCR. MiR-196b-5p was knocked-down or over-expressed in HepG2 cells by transfecting the cells with plasmids expressing either a miR-196b-5p inhibitor or mimic, respectively, while cell proliferation was  assessed by MTT assay. The interaction of miR-196b-5p with target molecules was confirmed using luciferase reporter assay. Cell cycle was investigated by flow cytometry, while NFκBIA expression was assessed by western blotting.Results: MiR-196b-5p was over-expressed in HCC, and miR-196b-5p expression levels in patients with HCC were related to tumor grade. MiR-196b-5p over-expression promoted cell proliferation and colony formation and suppressed cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The results of luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-196b-5p reduced NFκBIA expression in HepG2 cells by binding to a response element in the 3′ UTR of NFκBIA. Further investigation showed that NFκBIA interacts with NFκB1 and reduces the concentration of NFκB1 in HepG2 cells. The promoter of ATP-binding cassette sub-family B member 1 (ABCB1) was also targeted and bound by NFκB1, which altered the expression of ABCB1 in HepG2 cells.Conclusion: MiR-196b-5p regulates cell proliferation in drug-resistant HCC cell lines via activation of the NFκB/ABCB1 signaling pathway. Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma, miR-196b-5p, NFκBIA, NFκB1, ABCB1


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