hsa＿circ＿0140180通过调控miR-1287-5p影响食管鳞状细胞癌细胞的迁移及侵袭能力

目的：探讨hsa＿circ＿0140180在食管鳞状细胞癌（ESCC）细胞中的表达水平及对其细胞恶性生物学行为的影响与分子机制。方法：收集2018年11月至2019年3月间在南充市中心医院胸心外科手术切除的6对ESCC组织和对应癌旁组织并进行全转录组测序,筛选出在ESCC组织中低表达的hsa＿circ＿0140180;建立过表达hsa＿circ＿0140180的TE-1和KYSE30细胞,qPCR法检测hsa＿circ＿0140180在人正常食管上皮细胞、ESCC细胞中的表达,以及过表达hsa＿circ＿0140180后TE-1和KYSE30细胞中miR-1287-5p的表达;CCK-8法和FCM检测过表达hsa＿circ＿0140180对TE-1和KYSE30细胞增殖和周期的影响;划痕实验和Transwell实验检测过表达hsa＿circ＿0140180对TE-1和KYSE30细胞迁移和侵袭能力的影响,双荧光素酶报告实验验证hsa＿circ＿0140180与miR-1287-5p的靶向关系。WB法检测过表达hsa＿circ＿0140180对TE-1和KYSE30细胞中EMT相关蛋白的...     

has_circ_0070512 promotes prostate cancer progression by regulating the miR-338-3p/hedgehog signaling pathway

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a type of non-coding RNA that plays a vital role in biology. circRNAs appear to have a role in the development and progression of several malignancies, according to research. However, circRNAs that regulate prostate cancer (PCa) progression are still largely unknown and deserve further exploration. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hsa_circ_0070512 on the function and mechanism of PCa. hsa_circ_0070512 was increased in PCa tissues and cells and was mostly found in the cytoplasm of PCa cells. Overexpression of hsa_circ_0070512 considerably increased PCa cell proliferation and migration, whereas silencing of hsa_circ_0070512 greatly decreased PCa cell proliferation and migration. Mechanistically, we show that hsa_circ_0070512 acts as a “molecular sponge” for miR-338-3p and that the miR-338-3p mimics partially block the pro-tumor effects of hsa_circ_0070512. RNA sequencing analysis of PC3 cells stably overexpressing hsa_circ_0070512 revealed that hedgehog was downstream of the signaling pathways of hsa_circ_0070512 and miR-338-3p. Our results implied that hsa_circ_0070512 regulated the hedgehog signaling pathways through miR-338-3p to enhance PCa growth and migration, providing a new diagnostic and therapeutic target for PCa.     

miRNA-26b-3p通过靶向STAT3调控食管鳞状细胞癌细胞的增殖和迁移

目的：观察miR-26b-3p在食管鳞状细胞癌（ESCC）组织中的表达水平及其对ESCC细胞增殖、侵袭和迁移能力的影响,并探讨其分子调控机制。方法: 选取河北医科大学第四医院2018年4月1日至2018年12月25日手术切除的ESCC组织及相应癌旁组织各60例,利用qPCR法检测ESCC组织、癌旁组织和ESCC细胞中miR-26b-3p的表达。选取miR-26b-3p表达水平较低的ESCC细胞TE1和KYSE150,转染miR-26b-3p mimic,并设立阴性对照。利用细胞增殖实验、划痕愈合实验和Transwell实验检测过表达miR-26b-3p对TE1和KYSE150细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭能力的影响。荧光素酶报告基因实验检测miR-26b-3p与STAT3的 3''UTR 靶点部位的结合情况。随后同时转染 miR-26b-3p mimic 和 pcDNA3.0-STAT3,利用细胞增殖实验、划痕愈合实验和Transwell实验检测STAT3是否可逆转过表达miR-26b-3p对细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭能力的影响。qPCR 和 WB法检测甲基化酶抑制剂5-Aza-DC对ESCC细胞甲基化的影响和miR-26b-3p与STAT3表达的影响。结果: miR-26b-3p在ESCC组织中的表达低于癌旁组织（P<0.01）,其在 ESCC 细胞TE1、KYSE150和LYSE170中表达水平显著低于人正常食管上皮细胞HEEC（均P<0.01）。与miR-26b-3p NC组相比,miR-26b-3p mimic转染可明显上调TE1和KYSE150细胞中miR-26b-3p的表达（均P<0.01）,但可明显抑制两种细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力（P<0.05或P<0.01）。荧光素酶报告基因实验结果表明,在TE1和KYSE150细胞中,miR-26b-3p明显抑制了野生型STAT3载体的荧光素酶活性（P<0.05或P<0.01）,而突变型的荧光素酶活性不受影响。同时转染miR-26b-3pmimic和pcDNA3.0-STAT3可部分逆转miR-26b-3p mimic对TE1 和 KYSE150 细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭能力的抑制作用（P<0.05或P<0.01）。5-Aza-DC 处理后 ,TE1 和 KYSE150 细胞中 miR-26b-3p 表达上调（均 P<0.01）、STAT3 mRNA 和蛋白水平降低（P<0.05）,miR-26b-3p呈现去甲基化状态。结论: miR-26b-3p的启动子高甲基化导致其在ESCC组织和细胞中的表达下调,其作为抑癌因子可通过靶向STAT3而抑制ESCC细胞的增殖、侵袭和迁移能力。     

过表达miR-145-5p 通过下调IGF1R抑制食管鳞状细胞TE-10 细胞的恶性生物学行为

目的：探究miR-145-5p 对食管鳞状细胞癌TE-10 细胞增殖、侵袭、迁移和上皮间质转化（epithelial-mesenchymal transition，EMT）等恶性生物学行为的分子机制。方法：qPCR法检测miR-145-5p 在食管鳞状细胞癌细胞和正常食管上皮细胞中的表达水平。采用双荧光素酶报告基因实验检测miR-145-5p 与胰岛素样生长因子1 受体（insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor，IGF1R）的靶向调控关系，Western blotting 检测IGF1R蛋白和EMT相关蛋白的表达，CCK-8 法和Transwell 检测miR-145-5p/IGF1R分子轴对TE-10 细胞增殖、侵袭、迁移的影响。结果：miR-145-5p 在3 株食管鳞状细胞癌细胞中低表达且在TE-10 细胞中表达最低（P<0.01 或P<0.05）。过表达miR-145-5p 可显著抑制TE-10 细胞的增殖、侵袭、迁移和EMT进程（P<0.01 或P<0.05）。双荧光素酶报告基因证实miR-145-5p 靶向下调IGF1R表达（P<0.01）。回复实验进一步证实，与单独过表达IGF1R相比，同时过表达miR-145-5p 和IGF1R能显著缓解IGF1R 对TE-10 细胞的增殖、侵袭、迁移和EMT 进程的促进作用（P<0.01 或P<0.05）。结论：过表达miR-145-5p 通过靶向下调IGF1R进而抑制了食管鳞状细胞癌TE-10 细胞的增殖、侵袭、迁移和EMT进程。     

miR-627-3p在食管鳞状细胞癌组织中的表达及其对癌细胞恶性生物学 行为的影响

目的：探讨 miR-627-3p 在食管鳞状细胞癌（esophageal squamous cell carcinoma,ESCC）组织中的表达及其对 ESCC细胞生物学行为的影响。方法：收集2015年1月至2015年10月河北医科大学第四医院胸外科手术切除的ESCC组织86例及对应的癌旁组织标本20例。通过qPCR法检测miR-627-3p在86例ESCC组织及癌旁组织中的表达,分析其表达与ESCC患者临床病理学指标及预后的关系;利用Kaplan-Meier Plotter在线数据库进一步分析数据库中hsa-miR-627的表达与ESCC患者预后的关系;通过qPCR法检测miR-627-3p在4株ESCC细胞系中的表达,选取表达水平最低的食管癌细胞转染miR-627-3p mimic,选取表达水平最高的ESCC细胞转染miR-627-3p inhibitor,采用CCK-8法检测细胞的增殖,采用Transwell实验检测细胞迁移和侵袭;采用 KEGG分析探讨 miR-627-3p可能介导的信号转导通路,并采用 qPCR法验证 miR-627-3p对信号通路中关键基因表达的影响。结果：miR-627-3p在 ESCC组织中的表达明显低于在癌旁组织中的表达,miR-627-3p的表达与 ESCC患者淋巴结转移和临床分期相关（均 P<0.05）;miR-627-3p高表达的 ESCC 患者的 5年生存率明显高于 miR-627-3p低表达的食管癌患者（P<0.05）。ESCC细胞系 KYSE170中 miR-627-3p表达最低,KYSE30中 miR-627-3p表达最高;在 KYSE170细胞中转染 miR-627-3p mimic后,细胞的增殖能力无明显变化（P>0.05）,但细胞的迁移（P<0.05）和侵袭能力（P<0.05）显著降低;在 KYSE30 细胞中转染 miR-627-3p inhibitor 后,细胞的增殖能力无明显变化（P>0.05）,但细胞的迁移（P<0.05）和侵袭能力（P<0.05）显著增高。KEGG 分析结果显示,miR-627-3p介导了多条与肿瘤相关的信号转导通路。结论：miR-627-3p在ESCC组织中的表达明显低于在癌旁组织中的表达,其低表达与ESCC患者的不良预后相关,miR-627-3p抑制ESCC细胞的迁移和侵袭,可能是通过干扰多条与肿瘤相关的信号通路发挥生物学功能。     

miR-497-5p通过HMGA2调控食管鳞癌细胞迁移和侵袭

目的:探讨miR-497-5p通过高迁移率族蛋白A2(HMGA2)对食管鳞癌细胞(ESCC)迁移和侵袭能力的影响。方法:利用UALCAN、GEPIA数据库分析miR-497-5p和HMGA2 mRNA在食管癌中的表达。通过生物信息学网站starBase分析miR-497-5p和HMGA2在食管癌样本中表达的相关性。通过双荧光素酶报告基因实验检测miR-497-5p对HMGA2基因的调控。采用细胞划痕实验和Transwell实验分析miR-497-5p通过HMGA2对ESCC细胞迁移和侵袭能力的影响。结果:miR-497-5p在食管癌中的表达明显低于其对照样本(P<0.05),HMGA2 mRNA在食管癌中的表达明显高于其对照样本(P<0.05)。miR-497-5p和HMGA2的表达成负相关,miR-497-5p对靶基因HMGA2具有直接调控作用。miR-497-5p mimic组细胞的迁移和侵袭能力明显低于阴性对照(NC)组(P<0.001);而miR-497-5p mimic+HMGA2组细胞的迁移和侵袭能力与miR-497-5p mimic组相比明显上升(P&l...     

miR-491-5p靶向FGFR4调节肝母细胞瘤细胞增殖和迁移

目的 探讨miR-491-5p靶向调节FGFR4对肝母细胞瘤增殖和迁移的影响及可能的作用机制。方法 采用qRT-PCR检测15例小儿肝母细胞瘤组织及其癌旁正常组织,正常肝细胞LO2和肝母细胞瘤细胞HuH-6中miR-491-5p和FGFR4 mRNA的表达;Western blot检测FGFR4蛋白表达;TargetScan数据库预测miR-491-5p靶点;双荧光素酶报告基因实验检测miR-491-5p与FGFR4的靶向关系。将mimic NC、miR-491-5p mimic、pcDNA3.1和pcDNA3.1-FGFR4质粒分别转染至HuH-6细胞后,采用qRT-PCR与Western blot检测FGFR4的表达,CCK-8实验检测细胞增殖能力,Transwell小室实验检测细胞迁移能力,Western blot检测GSK3β/β-catenin信号通路相关蛋白的表达。结果 小儿肝母细胞瘤组织和HuH-6细胞中miR-491-5p表达水平均低于癌旁正常组织及肝细胞LO2（P<0.05）,而FGFR4表达水平高于癌旁正常组织及肝细胞LO2（P<0.05）;TargetScan数据库预测显示miR-491-5p与FGFR4存在结合位点。与mimic NC组比较,过表达miR-491-5p可抑制FGFR4表达、HuH-6细胞增殖和迁移能力及p-GSK3β/GSK3β、p-β-catenin/β-catenin及p-C-myc/C-myc比值（均P<0.05）。与mimic+Pc组比较,过表达FGFR4可逆转过表达miR-491-5p对HuH-6细胞增殖、迁移及p-GSK3β/GSK3β、p-β-catenin/β-catenin和p-C-myc/C-myc比值的抑制作用（均P<0.05）。结论 miR-491-5p通过负向调控FGFR4抑制肝母细胞瘤细胞增殖和迁移,可能与GSK3β/β-catenin信号通路失活有关。       

Circular RNA hsa_circ_001895 serves as a sponge of microRNA‐296‐5p to promote clear cell renal cell carcinoma progression by regulating SOX12

There is an urgent need to find novel potential therapeutic targets for the diagnosis and treatment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) due to its highly invasive ability as a common urological malignant tumor. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been indicated as potentially critical mediators in various types of tumor progression. We first used qRT‐PCR analysis to find dysregulated circRNAs in ccRCC. A novel circRNA, hsa_circ_001895, was upregulated in ccRCC specimens and associated with metastatic properties of ccRCC. However, the tumorigenic mechanism of hsa_circ_001895 on ccRCC is yet to be found. We first indicated that hsa_circ_001895 predicted a poor prognosis in ccRCC patients. Additionally, overexpression of hsa_circ_001895 not only promoted cell proliferation, invasion and migration of ccRCC, but also inhibited cell apoptosis, whereas hsa_circ_001895 knockdown reversed the effect on ccRCC progression. In vivo s.c. xenotransplanted tumor model also showed that silencing hsa_circ_001895 could suppress in vivo ccRCC growth. Mechanistically, hsa_circ_001895 directly binds with microRNA (miR)‐296‐5p and inhibits its expression. Moreover, sex determining region Y (SRY)‐box 12 (SOX12) was identified as a target of miR‐296‐5p, the expression of which was suppressed by miR‐296‐5p. Notably, the inhibitory effect of hsa_circ_001895 on ccRCC progression was reversed by miR‐296‐5p inhibitor. In general, our findings indicated that hsa_circ_001895 may sponge miR‐296‐5p and promote SOX12 expression, which is the underlying mechanism of hsa_circ_001895‐induced ccRCC progression.     

miR-202-5p通过下调NFATc3的表达抑制口腔鳞状细胞癌细胞的生长、迁移和侵袭

目的：探讨miR-202-5p对口腔鳞状细胞癌（oral squamous carcinoma,OSCC）细胞生长、集落形成、迁移和侵袭的影响及其可能的机制。方法：通过qPCR法检测OSCC细胞系（Tca8113和SCC-4）和口腔角质细胞HOK中miR-202-5p和T细胞核因子c3（nuclear factor of activated T-cells isoform c3,NFATc3）mRNA的表达水平;将miR-202-5p mimic或/和NFATc3过表达质粒转染入Tca8113和SCC-4细胞,用MTT和集落形成实验检测转染对细胞增殖的影响,划痕伤口愈合实验和Transwell实验检测转染对细胞迁移和侵袭的影响,用Western blotting实验检测转染对NFATc3蛋白表达的影响;通过双荧光素酶报告基因实验验证miR-202-5p 对候选靶基因 NFATc3 的直接调控作用。结果：与正 常 口 腔 角 质 细 胞 HOK 相 比 ,miR-202-5p 在 OSCC 细胞Tca8113和SCC-4中呈低表达（均P<0.01）,NFATc3 mRNA和蛋白质表达显著升高（P<0.01）。在Tca8113细胞和SCC-4细胞中,过表达miR-202-5p可显著抑制细胞生长、集落形成、迁移、侵袭以及细胞中NFATc3表达（均P<0.01）。NFATc3被证实是miR-202-5p的靶基因,过表达NFATc3能逆转miR-202-5p对OSCC细胞生长、迁移和侵袭的抑制作用。结论：miR-202-5p通过下调NFATc3表达发挥其肿瘤抑制功能,导致OSCC细胞的生长、迁移和侵袭受到抑制。     

hsa_circ_0000520通过调控miR-556-5p/SLC38A2促进乳腺癌的发生和转移

目的:探究hsa_circ_0000520促进乳腺癌发生和转移的作用机制。方法:双荧光素酶报告基因实验、RNA pull-down实验验证miR-556-5p与hsa_circ_0000520、溶质载体家族38成员2（SLC38A2）的靶向关系。MCF7细胞分为sh-NC组、sh-hsa_circ_0000520组、sh-hsa_circ_0000520+anti-NC组、sh-hsa_circ_0000520+anti-miR-556-5p组,qRT-PCR或Western blot检测细胞中hsa_circ_0000520、miR-556-5p、SLC38A2表达水平;MTT检测、平板克隆形成实验评估细胞增殖能力;划痕愈合实验、Transwell实验评估细胞迁移、侵袭能力。通过裸鼠成瘤实验评估hsa_circ_0000520对miR-556-5p/SLC38A2的调控作用及对移植瘤生长的影响。结果:经验证,MCF7细胞中miR-556-5p与hsa_circ_0000520、SLC38A2均存在靶向关系。与sh-NC组比较,sh-hsa_circ_0000520组可降低MCF7细胞中hsa_circ_0000520、SLC38A2 mRNA和蛋白表达水平、细胞活力、克隆形成数目、划痕愈合率及迁移、侵袭细胞数（P＜0.05）,升高miR-556-5p表达水平（P＜0.05）;与sh-hsa_circ_0000520+anti-NC组比较,sh-hsa_circ_0000520+anti-miR-556-5p组可降低MCF7细胞中miR-556-5p表达水平（P＜0.05）,升高SLC38A2 mRNA和蛋白表达水平、细胞活力、克隆形成数目、划痕愈合率及迁移、侵袭细胞数（P＜0.05）,而对hsa_circ_0000520表达无显著影响（P＞0.05）。裸鼠成瘤实验结果表明,敲低移植瘤中hsa_circ_0000520的表达可升高miR-556-5p表达水平并降低SLC38A2 mRNA和蛋白表达水平,同时降低肿瘤体积和肿瘤重量（P＜0.05）。结论:hsa_circ_0000520可能通过靶向调控miR-556-5p/SLC38A2促进乳腺癌的发生和转移。     

hsa＿circ＿0087378在食管鳞状细胞癌组织中的表达及其对患者预后的影响

目的：探讨hsa＿circ＿0087378在食管鳞状细胞癌（ESCC）组织中的表达及其对ESCC患者临床病理指标及预后的影响。方法：通过GEO数据库筛选ESCC组织及相应癌旁组织中差异表达的circRNA,采用qPCR法在10例ESCC组织及相应癌旁组织中进行验证。选取河北医科大学第四医院2015年10月至2016年4月收治的90例ESCC患者癌组织及配对癌旁组织标本,通过FISH法检测hsa＿circ＿0087378的表达,分析其表达与ESCC患者临床病理指标及预后的关系。结果：GEO数据库及qPCR分析结果显示,hsa＿circ＿0087378在ESCC组织中表达最明显。FISH结果显示,90例癌旁组织中21例hsa＿circ＿0087378呈高表达,高表达率为23.3%;90例ESCC组织中有65例hsa＿circ＿0087378呈高表达,高表达率为72.2%,癌组织中表达明显高于癌旁组织（P<0.05）。hsa＿circ＿0087378在ESCC组织中的高表达与患者的临床分期和淋巴结转移有关联（P<0.05）,hsa＿circ＿0087378高表达组ESCC患者的5...     

延龄草总皂苷调控hsa_circ_0025033/miR-149对非小细胞肺癌细胞生物学行为的影响

目的:研究延龄草总皂苷对非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)细胞A549增殖、凋亡、迁移和侵袭的影响。方法:将不同浓度的延龄草总皂苷作用于A549细胞,应用实时定量PCR检测hsa_circ_0025033和miR-149的表达,应用双荧光素酶基因系统验证hsa_circ_0025033与miR-149的靶向关系。分析干扰hsa_circ_0025033表达对A549细胞增殖、凋亡、迁移和侵袭的影响。结果:延龄草总皂苷可抑制A549细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭,诱导细胞凋亡,下调hsa_circ_0025033表达,上调miR-149表达(P＜0.05)。干扰hsa_circ_0025033可抑制A549细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭,诱导细胞凋亡(P＜0.05)。hsa_circ_0025033可靶向结合miR-149,干扰hsa_circ_0025033表达可上调miR-149表达(P＜0.05)。过表达hsa_circ_0025033逆转延龄草总皂苷对A549细胞增殖、凋亡、迁移和侵袭的影响(P＜0.05)。结论:延龄草总皂苷能够抑制NSCLC细胞A549增殖、迁移和侵袭,诱导细胞凋亡,可能与调节hsa_circ_0025033/miR-149通路有关。     

The SOX17/miR-371-5p/SOX2 axis inhibits EMT,stem cell properties and metastasis in colorectal cancer

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) and EMT-type cells, which share molecular characteristics with CSCs, have been believed to play critical roles in tumor metastasis. Although much progress has been garnered in elucidating the molecular pathways that trigger EMT, stemness and metastasis, a number of key mechanistic gaps remain elusive. In the study, miR-371-5p was obviously down-regulated in primary CRC tissues compared with matched adjacent normal mucosa and correlated significantly with differentiation, tumor size, lymphatic and liver metastases. MiR-371-5p could attenuate proliferation, invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo in CRC cells. It also suppressed EMT by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling and strongly decreased the CRC stemness phenotypes. Moreover, demethylation of SOX17 induced miR-371-5p expression and consequently suppressed its direct target SOX2 in CRC cells. MiR-371-5p was necessary for SOX17 mediated cancer-related traits and SOX2 was a functional target of miR-371-5p. A positive relationship between SOX17 and miR-371-5p expression and a negative one between miR-371-5p and SOX2 expression were observed in CRC cell lines and tissues. In conclusion, we identified miR-371-5p as an important “oncosuppressor” in CRC progression and elucidated a novel mechanism of the SOX17/miR-371-5p/SOX2 axis in the regulation of EMT, stemness and metastasis, which may be a potential therapeutic target.     

沉默circZFR通过调控miR-497-5p表达抑制脊索瘤细胞的增殖、迁移及侵袭

目的:研究环状RNA（circular RNAs,circRNAs）circZFR是否通过调控微小RNA（microRNA,miRNA/miR）-497-5p的表达影响脊索瘤细胞增殖、迁移及侵袭。方法:实时荧光定量PCR（quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction,qRT-PCR）检测脊索瘤组织中circZFR和miR-497-5p的表达。在脊索瘤U-CH1细胞中转染si-circZFR或miR-497-5p。噻唑蓝（methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium,MTT）检测细胞增殖,Transwell小室法检测细胞迁移及侵袭情况,蛋白质印迹法（Western blot）检测细胞周期蛋白D1（CyclinD1）、p21、基质金属蛋白酶-2（matrix metalloprotease-2,MMP-2）、基质金属蛋白酶-9（matrix metalloprotease-9,MMP-9）蛋白表达,StarBase预测工具和双荧光素酶报告实验分析circZFR与miR-497-5p的靶向结合。si-circZFR和anti-miR-497-5p共转染,观察下调miR-497-5p表达对沉默circZFR表达诱导的U-CH1细胞增殖、迁移及侵袭的作用。结果:与髓核组织比较,脊索瘤组织中的circZFR表达量明显增加,miR-497-5p表达量显著减少（P＜0.05）。沉默circZFR表达或过表达miR-497-5p明显降低U-CH1细胞48 h、72 h的细胞活性、迁移细胞数、侵袭细胞数、CyclinD1、MMP-2、MMP-9蛋白表达量,显著提高p21蛋白水平（P＜0.05）。circZFR靶向调控miR-497-5p的表达。下调miR-497-5p表达逆转了沉默circZFR表达对脊索瘤U-CH1细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭、CyclinD1、MMP-2及MMP-9蛋白表达的抑制作用,和对p21蛋白表达的促进作用。结论:沉默circZFR表达可以抑制脊索瘤细胞的增殖、迁移及侵袭,其作用机制与靶向调控miR-497-5p的表达有关。     

Downregulation of circ-TRPS1 suppressed prostatic cancer prognoses by regulating miR-124-3p/EZH2 axis-mediated stemness

Abnormal circular RNA (circRNA) expression correlates with human traits such as many kinds of cancers. Though circRNAs have links to cancer, they have less characterization in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (PCa), which is main reason for PCa mortality. Therefore, high-throughput sequencing was used for selected circRNA profiles. The result showed that circ-TRPS1 was upregulated significantly in high-grade PCa tissues or cell lines. High circ-TRPS1 expression correlated to aggressive PCa phenotypes. Knockdown of circ-TRPS1 suppressed PCa proliferation and metastasis through targeting miR-124-3p/EZH2 axis-mediated stemness in PCa, which was validated by luciferase reporter assays. EZH2 overexpression or miR-124-3p inhibition reversed the inhibition of circ-TRPS1 silencing in PCa cell migration and proliferation by recovering stemness. In summary, data demonstrated that circ-TRPS1 suppressed PCa progression through functioning similar to a miR-124-3p sponge to enhance EZH2 expression and cancer stem-like cell differentiation. Thus, circ-TRPS1 might be a candidate target for PCa treatment.     

A novel long noncoding RNA,LOC440173, promotes the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by modulating the miR-30d-5p/HDAC9 axis and the epithelial–mesenchymal transition

Countless evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in human malignant cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), although their exact function remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the roles and molecular mechanisms of the lncRNA LOC440173 in ESCC progression. Microarray analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were conducted to measure the expression levels of LOC440173 and miR-30d-5p. The biological function of this lncRNA was investigated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, clone formation, and transwell assays, as well as flow cytometry and Western blot analysis. The function of LOC440173 was validated in vivo using tumor xenografts. The regulatory network of LOC440173/miR-30d-5p/HDAC9 was established using bioinformatic analysis and verified with dual-luciferase reporter assays, RNA immunoprecipitation assay, and rescue experiments. The expression level of LOC440173 was significantly increased in ESCC tissues and esophageal carcinoma cells. High LOC440173 expression was correlated with histological grade, tumor invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage. Overexpression of LOC440173 promoted esophageal cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in vitro, and facilitated tumor growth in vivo. MicroRNA-30d-5p (miR-30d-5p) was downregulated in ESCC tissues and acted as a direct binding target of LOC440173 during the regulation of HDAC9 expression in esophageal carcinoma cells. In conclusion, LOC440173 exerts a promotive role in ESCC tumorigenesis by targeting the miR-30d-5p/HDAC9 axis and regulating the EMT process. LOC440173 might be a new therapeutic target for the treatment of ESCC.     

The candidate tumor suppressor gene ECRG4 inhibits cancer cells migration and invasion in esophageal carcinoma

Background

The esophageal cancer related gene 4 (ECRG4) was initially identified and cloned in our laboratory from human normal esophageal epithelium (GenBank accession no.{"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"AF325503","term_id":"11991655","term_text":"AF325503"}}AF325503). ECRG4 was a new tumor suppressor gene in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) associated with prognosis. In this study, we investigated the novel tumor-suppressing function of ECRG4 in cancer cell migration, invasion, adhesion and cell cycle regulation in ESCC.

Methods

Transwell and Boyden chamber experiments were utilized to examined the effects of ECRG4 expression on ESCC cells migration, invasion and adhesion. And flow cytometric analysis was used to observe the impact of ECRG4 expression on cell cycle regulation. Finally, the expression levels of cell cycle regulating proteins p53 and p21 in human ESCC cells transfected with ECRG4 gene were evaluated by Western blotting.

Results

The restoration of ECRG4 expression in ESCC cells inhibited cancer cells migration and invasion (P < 0.05), which did not affect cell adhesion capacity (P > 0.05). Furthermore, ECRG4 could cause cell cycle G1 phase arrest in ESCC (P < 0.05), through inducing the increased expression of p53 and p21 proteins.

Conclusion

ECRG4 is a candidate tumor suppressor gene which suppressed tumor cells migration and invasion without affecting cell adhesion ability in ESCC. Furthermore, ECRG4 might cause cell cycle G1 phase block possibly through inducing the increased expression of p53 and p21 proteins in ESCC.