Mutation Research-Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis最新文献

Background

Among primary liver cancers, HCC is the most prevalent. Small noncoding RNAs called miRNAs control the expression of downstream target genes to take part in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, including those related to cancer.

Methods

miR-129–2–3p and SEMA4C expression levels were assessed using RT-qPCR. The CCK-8, invasion, and wound healing assays were used to confirm the capacity of HCC cells for proliferation, invasion and migration respectively. Serum SEMA4C levels were detected via ELISA. The RIP and dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to confirm the existence of intergenic binding sites. Cell apoptosis assay and cell cycle assay were performed to detect the apoptosis rate and cycle distribution of cells, and WB was performed to detect the protein expression of SEMA4C, RhoA, ROCK1, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin. Furthermore, cancer-inhibiting role of miR-129–2–3p were further confirmed by animal tests.

Results

miR-129–2–3p expression was reduced in HCC tissues and cells. Overexpression of miR-129–2–3p decreased the proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT in HCC cells, whereas inhibition of miR-129–2–3p had the opposite effects. Our research also showed that SEMA4C was increased in HCC tissues, serum and cells, and that SEMA4C knockdown prevented HCC cell invasion, migration, proliferation, and EMT. Overexpression of SEMA4C reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-129–2–3p on HCC.

Conclusions

Overall, we discovered that through binding to SEMA4C, miR-129–2–3p regulates HCC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT.

Background

Multiple myeloma cancer stem cells (MMSC) have been considered as the leading cause of multiple myeloma (MM) drug resistance and eventual relapse, microRNAs (miRNAs) collectively participate in the progression of MM. However, the pathogenesis of miR-138 in MMSC is still not fully understood.

Objective

The intention of this study was to investigate the mechanism and role of miR-138 in multiple myeloma.

Method

Bone marrow samples and peripheral blood from patients and normal controls were collected. Use Magnet-based Cancer Stem Cell Isolation Kit to separate and extract MMSC. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was carried out to determine mRNA level. Western blot was applied to detect protein levels. MTT and flow cytometry were conducted to examine the proliferation and apoptosis of MMSC. Finally, dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were performed to confirm that paired box 5 (PAX5) is a direct target for miR-138.

Results

Compared with normal group, the expression of miR-138 in patients was significantly up-regulated, and the expression of miR-138 was in a negative correlation with PAX5. Additionally, downregulated miR-138 facilitated the apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of MMSC in vitro and in vivo. Downregulated miR-138 moderated the expression of PAX5, Bcl-2, Bax, and Caspase-3. PAX5 was a direct target of miR-138.

Conclusion

Taken together, miR-138 plays a carcinogenic role in MM, and miR-138 adjusted the proliferation and apoptosis of MMSC by targeting PAX5. miR-138 has the probability of becoming a new medicinal target for the treatment of MM.

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa), a prevalent malignancy worldwide, is frequently identified in advanced stages due to the absence of distinctive early symptoms, thereby culminating in the development of chemotherapy-induced drug resistance. Exploring novel resistance mechanisms and identifying new therapeutic agents can facilitate the advancement of more efficacious strategies for PCa treatment.

Methods

Bioinformatics analysis was employed to investigate the expression of FOXG1 in PCa tissues. Subsequently, qRT-PCR was utilized to validate FOXG1 mRNA expression levels in corresponding PCa cell lines. FOXG1 knockdown was performed, and cell proliferation was assessed using CCK-8 assays, while cell migration and invasion capabilities were evaluated through wound healing and Transwell assays. Western blot and Seahorse analyzer were used to measure oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) levels. Additionally, to explore potential approaches to alleviate PCa drug resistance, this study assessed the impact of biologically active saikosaponin-d (SSd) on PCa malignant progression and resistance by regulating FOXG1 expression.

Results

FOXG1 exhibited high expression in PCa tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of FOXG1 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of PCa cells, while FOXG1 overexpression had the opposite effect and promoted OXPHOS levels. The addition of an OXPHOS inhibitor prevented this outcome. Finally, SSd was shown to suppress FOXG1 expression and reverse docetaxel resistance in PCa cells through the OXPHOS pathway.

Conclusion

This work demonstrated that SSd mediated FOXG1 to reverse malignant progression and docetaxel resistance in PCa through OXPHOS.

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients are implicated in poor prognoses and increased mortality rates. Metastasis, as a leading cause of LUAD-related deaths, requires further investigation. Highly metastatic cancer cells often exhibit extensive characteristics of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This study attempted to identify novel targets associated with LUAD metastasis and validate their specific molecular mechanisms.

Methods

Bioinformatics was conducted to determine NTSR1 expression in LUAD and the enriched pathways. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to assess NTSR1 expression in LUAD tissue. qRT-PCR examined expressions of NTSR1 and Wnt/β-Catenin pathway-related genes in LUAD cells. Transwell assayed cell migration and invasion. Cell adhesion experiments were conducted to evaluate cell adhesion capacity. Western blot analysis was employed to examine expression of EMT, Wnt/β-Catenin pathway, and cell adhesion markers.

Results

NTSR1 was upregulated in LUAD tissues and cells, and enriched in EMT pathway. Knockdown of NTSR1 reduced migration, invasion, and adhesion abilities in LUAD cells, and inhibited EMT progression and Wnt/β-Catenin pathway. Rescue experiments demonstrated that β-Catenin activator SKL2001 reversed repressive influence of NTSR1 knockdown on LUAD cell malignant phenotypes and EMT progression.

Conclusion

The data obtained in this study suggested that NTSR1 stimulated EMT and metastasis in LUAD via Wnt/β-Catenin pathway. This finding may provide options for overcoming LUAD metastasis.

Background

Bladder cancer (BCa) is the most common malignancy with increasing morbidity and mortality. Circular RNA (circRNA) ATF6 level was downregulated in BCa after GSE92675 CircRNA microarray dataset was analyzed using GEO2R. However, its function and mechanism in BCa remain largely unknown.

Methods

GEO2R and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to measure levels of circRNA ATF6, microRNA-146a-5p (miR-146a-5p), and filamin A (FLNA). CircRNA ATF6 stability was assessed by actinomycin D and RNase R assays, while circRNA ATF6 cellular localization was examined by FISH experiments in T24 cells. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, wound-healing, and transwell assays were used to study circRNA ATF6’s function in growth, motility, and invasion. By examining luciferase, starBase, RNA pull-down, and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) experiments, we anticipated and confirmed miR-146a-5p interactions with circRNA ATF6, as well as miR-146a-5p interactions with FLNA. On tumor-bearing mice, in vivo experiments were conducted.

Results

MiR-146a-5p expression in Bca was elevated, while circRNA ATF6 and FLNA were downregulated. CircRNA ATF6 showed better stability in BCa cells, with its expression primarily in the cytoplasm. Upregulating circRNA ATF6 lowered BCa cell viability, colony numbers, and invasion numbers, but broadened their migratory pattern. MiR-146a-5p was directly sponged up by circRNA ATF6, which also detrimentally affected miR-146a-5p levels in BCa. MiR-146a-5p reduced BCa FLNA expression by targeting FLNA. FLNA silencing abolished circRNA ATF6’s mitigating function in BCa cell proliferation, motility, and invasion. In vivo, overexpression of circRNA ATF6 significantly reduced tumor volume and weight.

Conclusion

CircRNA ATF6 suppresses BCa cell growth, migration and invasion through the miR-146a-5p/FLNA axis.

The integrity of the genetic material in human cells is continuously challenged by environmental agents and endogenous stresses. Among these, environmental carcinogens are pivotal in initiating complex DNA lesions that can lead to malignant transformations if not properly repaired. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the molecular dynamics of DNA repair mechanisms and their interplay with various environmental carcinogens, providing a comprehensive overview of how these interactions contribute to cancer initiation and progression. We examine key DNA repair pathways including base excision repair, nucleotide excision repair, and double-strand break repair and their regulatory networks, highlighting how defects in these pathways can exacerbate carcinogen-induced damage. Further, we discuss how understanding these molecular interactions offers novel insights into potential therapeutic strategies. This includes leveraging synthetic lethality concepts and designing targeted therapies that exploit specific DNA repair vulnerabilities in cancer cells. By integrating recent advances in molecular biology, genetics, and oncology, this review aims to illuminate the complex landscape of DNA repair and carcinogen-induced carcinogenesis, setting the stage for future research and therapeutic innovations.

Transcription factor EB (TFEB) is a basic Helix–Loop–Helix/Leucine Zipper (bHLHZip) class of DNA-binding proteins, which can control the expression of genes included in the autophagy–lysosomal pathway. TFEB regulates the autophagic flux by enhancing lysosome biogenesis, forming autophagosomes, and fusion with lysosomes, thereby facilitating cellular clearance of pathogenic protein structures. Curcumin is a natural polyphenolic molecule with pharmacological properties that make it a potential therapeutic candidate for a wide range of diseases. One of the important curcumin mechanisms of action includes modulation of autophagy through affecting various signaling components such as TFEB. This review discusses in vitro and in vivo evidence on the effects of curcumin on autophagy process via modulating TFEB activity in different disorders.

Background

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent programmed cell death mediated by lipid peroxidation. The purpose was to explore the molecular mechanism by which phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 1 (PEBP1) regulates ferroptosis in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), hoping to identify novel therapeutic targets for LUAD.

Methods

The expression, enrichment pathways and upstream transcription factors of PEBP1 were analyzed using bioinformatics tools. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments were conducted to validate the interaction and binding relationship between PEBP1 and the upstream transcription factor nuclear transcription factor Y subunit α (NFYA). Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was conducted to measure the expression levels of PEBP1 and NFYA mRNA in LUAD cells. Cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 assay. In addition, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), Fe²⁺, and lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed to evaluate ferroptosis levels in LUAD cells.

Results

PEBP1 was downregulated and significantly enriched in the ferroptosis signaling pathway in LUAD. Overexpression of PEBP1 suppressed cell viability remarkably, while levels of MDA, Fe²⁺, and lipid ROS were increased. Conversely, knockdown of PEBP1 produced the opposite effects. The upstream transcription factor NFYA, predicted to be involved in the regulation of PEBP1, was also upregulated in LUAD. Dual-luciferase reporter assay, ChIP, and molecular experiments revealed that NFYA transcriptionally suppressed the expression of PEBP1, and overexpression of NFYA could reverse the effects caused by PEBP1 overexpression.

Conclusion

PEBP1 regulated ferroptosis in LUAD, and the transcription factor NFYA inhibited ferroptosis in LUAD cells by transcriptionally downregulating PEBP1 expression.

Objective

Method

Result

Conclusion

The high mortality rate in cancer patients is always one of the main challenges of the health systems globally. Several factors are involved in the high rate of cancer related mortality, including late diagnosis and drug resistance. Cancer is mainly diagnosed in the advanced stages of tumor progression that causes the failure of therapeutic strategies and increases the death rate in these patients. Therefore, assessment of the molecular mechanisms associated with the occurrence of cancer can be effective to introduce early tumor diagnostic markers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) as the stable non-coding RNAs in the biological body fluids are involved in regulation of cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. MiR-532 deregulation has been reported in different tumor types. Therefore, in the present review we discussed the role of miR-532 during tumor growth. It has been shown that miR-532 has mainly a tumor suppressor role through the regulation of transcription factors, chemokines, and signaling pathways such as NF-kB, MAPK, PI3K/AKT, and WNT. In addition to the independent role of miR-532 in regulation of cellular processes, it also functions as a mediator of lncRNAs and circRNAs. Therefore, miR-532 can be considered as a non-invasive diagnostic/prognostic marker as well as a therapeutic target in cancer patients.