• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.449-458
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• 2019

Retinoblastoma (Rb) is one of the most common eye malignancies occur in childhood. The crucial roles of non-coding RNAs, particularly long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), have been widely reported in Rb progression. In the present study, we found the expression of lncRNA T-cell leukemia/lymphoma 6 (TCL6) was significantly downregulated in Rb tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of lncRNA TCL6 promoted cell proliferation while reduced cell apoptosis in Rb cells. Moreover, lncRNA TCL6 serves as a sponge for miR-21, a previously-reported oncogenic miRNA in Rb, by direct targeting to negatively regulated miR-21 expression, therefore modulating Rb proliferation through miR-21. TCL6 overexpression inhibited Rb cell proliferation while miR-21 overexpression exerted an opposing effect; the effect of TCL6 overexpression was partially attenuated by miR-21 overexpression. PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was involved in lncRNA TCL6/miR-21 axis modulating Rb cell proliferation. Taken together, lncRNA TCL6 serves as a tumor suppressor by acting as a sponge for miR-21 to counteract miR-21-mediated PTEN repression.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.397-405
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• 2019

The regulatory role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) in both cancerous and noncancerous cells have been widely reported. This study aimed to evaluate the role of lncRNA GAS5 in heart failure caused by myocardial infarction. We reported that silence of lncRNA GAS5 attenuated hypoxia-triggered cell death, as cell viability was increased and apoptosis rate was decreased. This phenomenon was coupled with the down-regulated expression of p53, Bax and cleaved caspase-3, as well as the up-regulated expression of CyclinD1, CDK4 and Bcl-2. At the meantime, the expression of four heart failure-related miR-NAs was altered when lncRNA GAS5 was silenced (miR-21 and miR-142-5p were up-regulated; miR-30b and miR-93 were down-regulated). RNA immunoprecipitation assay results showed that lncRNA GAS5 worked as a molecular sponge for miR-142-5p. More interestingly, the protective actions of lncRNA GAS5 silence on hypoxia-stimulated cells were attenuated by miR-142-5p suppression. Besides, TP53INP1 was a target gene for miR-142-5p. Silence of lncRNA GAS5 promoted the activation of PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK signaling pathways in a miR-142-5p-dependent manner. Collectively, this study demonstrated that silence of lncRNA GAS5 protected H9c2 cells against hypoxia-induced injury possibly via sponging miR-142-5p, functionally releasing TP53INP1 mRNA transcripts that are normally targeted by miR-142-5p.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.754-762
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenoside Rh2, a major saponin derivative in ginseng extract, is recognized for its anti-cancer activities. Compared to coding genes, studies on long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) that are regulated by Rh2 in cancer cells, especially on competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) are sparse. Methods: LncRNAs whose promoter DNA methylation level was significantly altered by Rh2 were screened from methylation array data. The effect of STXBP5-AS1, miR-4425, and RNF217 on the proliferation and apoptosis of MCF-7 breast cancer cells was monitored in the presence of Rh2 after deregulating the corresponding gene. The ceRNA relationship between STXBP5-AS1 and miR-4425 was examined by measuring the luciferase activity of a recombinant luciferase/STXBP5-AS1 plasmid construct in the presence of mimic miR-4425. Results: Inhibition of STXBP5-AS1 decreased apoptosis but stimulated growth of the MCF-7 cells, suggesting tumor-suppressive activity of the lncRNA. MiR-4425 was identified to have a binding site on STXBP5-AS1 and proven to be downregulated by STXBP5-AS1 as well as by Rh2. In contrast to STXBP5-AS1, miR-4425 showed pro-proliferation activity by inducing a decrease in apoptosis but increased growth of the MCF-7 cells. MiR-4425 decreased luciferase activity from the luciferase/STXBP5-AS1 construct by 26%. Screening the target genes of miR-4425 and Rh2 revealed that Rh2, STXBP5-AS1, and miR-4425 consistently regulated tumor suppressor RNF217 at both the RNA and protein level. Conclusion: LncRNA STXBP5-AS1 is upregulated by Rh2 via promoter hypomethylation and acts as a ceRNA, sponging the oncogenic miR-4425. Therefore, Rh2 controls the STXBP5-AS1/miR-4425/RNF217 axis to suppress breast cancer cell growth.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.300-312
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• 2020

Purpose: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new class of RNA molecules whose function is largely unknown. There is a growing evidence that circRNAs play an important regulatory role in the progression of a variety of human cancers. However, the exact roles and the mechanisms of circRNAs in gastric cancer are not clear. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the mechanism of hsa_circ_0005556. Materials and Methods: Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of hsa_circ_0005556, miR-4270, and matrix metalloproteinase-19 (MMP19) in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. The expression of hsa_circ_0005556 in gastric cancer cells was silenced by lentivirus, and cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and tumorigenesis in nude mice were assessed to evaluate the function of hsa_circ_0005556 in gastric cancer. Results: The expression of hsa_circ_0005556 in gastric cancer tissues and gastric cancer cell lines was higher compared to normal controls. In vitro, the downregulation of hsa_ circ_0005556 significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells. In vivo, the downregulation of hsa_circ_0005556 suppressed tumor growth in nude mice. Conclusions: Our study shows that the hsa_circ_0005556/miR-4270/MMP19 axis is involved in proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells through the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.460-472
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• 2019

Purpose: Long noncoding RNA 00703 (LINC00703) was found originating from a region downstream of Kruppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) gene, having 2 binding sites for miR-181a. Since KLF6 has been reported as a target of miR-181a in gastric cancer (GC), this study aims to investigate whether LINC00703 regulates the miR-181a/KLF6 axis and plays a functional role in GC pathogenesis. Materials and Methods: GC tissues, cell lines, and nude mice were included in this study. RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) and pull-down assays were used to evaluate interaction between LINC00703 and miR-181a. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot were applied for analysis of gene expression at the transcriptional and protein levels. A nude xenograft mouse model was used to determine LINC00703 function in vivo. Results: We revealed that LINC00703 competitively interacts with miR-181a to regulate KLF6. Overexpression of LINC00703 inhibited cell proliferation, migration/invasion, but promoted apoptosis in vitro, and arrested tumor growth in vivo. LINC00703 expression was found to be decreased in GC tissues, which was positively correlated with KLF6, but negatively with the miR-181a levels. Conclusions: LINC00703 may have an anti-cancer function via modulation of the miR-181a/KLF6 axis. This study also provides a new potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for GC treatment.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.82-87
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• 2020

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), one kind of non-coding RNA, have been reported as critical regulators for modulating gene expression in cancer. In this study, microarray analysis was used to screen circRNA expression profiles of bladder cancer (BC) 5637 cells, T24 cells and normal control SV-HUC-1 cells. The data from the microarray showed that hsa_circ_0075828 (named circCASC15) was most highly expressed in 5637 and T24 cells. circCASC15 was highly expressed in BC tissues and cells. Overexpression of circCASC15 was closely associated with BC tumor stage and promoted cell proliferation significantly in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circCASC15 could act as miR-1224-5p sponge to activate the expression of CREB1 to promote cell proliferation in BC. In short, circCASC15 promotes cell proliferation in BC, which might be a new molecular target for BC diagnosis and therapy.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.184-189
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• 2023

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most common gynecological malignancy worldwide, and chemoresistance occurs in most patients, resulting in treatment failure. A better understanding of the molecular processes underlying drug resistance is crucial for development of efficient therapies to improve OC patient outcomes. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) and ferroptosis play crucial roles in tumorigenesis and resistance to chemotherapy. However, little is known about the role(s) of circRNAs in regulating ferroptosis in OC. To gain insights into cisplatin resistance in OC, we studied the ferroptosis-associated circRNA circSnx12. We evaluated circSnx12 expression in OC cell lines and tissues that were susceptible or resistant to cisplatin using quantitative real-time PCR. We also conducted in vitro and in vivo assays examining the function and mechanism of lnc-LBCSs. Knockdown of circSnx12 rendered cisplatin-resistant OC cells more sensitive to cisplatin in vitro and in vivo by activating ferroptosis, which was at least partially abolished by downregulation of miR-194-5p. Molecular mechanics studies indicate that circSnx12 can be a molecular sponge of miR-194-5p, which targets SLC7A11. According to our findings, circSnx12 ameliorates cisplatin resistance by blocking ferroptosis via a miR-194-5p/SLC7A11 pathway. CircARNT2 may thus serve as an effective therapeutic target for overcoming cisplatin resistance in OC.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.388-402
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• 2022

Malignant meningiomas often show invasive growth that makes complete tumor resection challenging, and they are more prone to recur after radical resection. Invasive meningioma associated transcript 1 (IMAT1) is a long noncoding RNA located on Homo sapiens chromosome 17 that was identified by our team based on absolute expression differences in invasive and non-invasive meningiomas. Our studies indicated that IMAT1 was highly expressed in invasive meningiomas compared with non-invasive meningiomas. In vitro studies showed that IMAT1 promoted meningioma cell invasion through the inactivation of the Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4)/hsa-miR22-3p/Snai1 pathway by acting as a sponge for hsa-miR22-3p, and IMAT1 knockdown effectively restored the tumor suppressive properties of KLF4 by preserving its tumor suppressor pathway. In vivo experiments confirmed that IMAT1 silencing could significantly inhibit the growth of subcutaneous tumors and prolong the survival period of tumor-bearing mice. Our findings demonstrated that the high expression of IMAT1 is the inherent reason for the loss of the tumor suppressive properties of KLF4 during meningioma progression. Therefore, we believe that IMAT1 may be a potential biological marker and treatment target for meningiomas.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.219-229
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• 2020

Objective: Considering the physiological and clinical importance of leptin receptor (LEPR) in regulating obesity and the fact that porcine LEPR expression is not known to be controlled by lncRNAs and miRNAs, we aim to characterize this gene as a potential target of SSC-miR-323 and the lncRNA TCONS_00010987. Methods: Bioinformatics analyses revealed that lncRNA TCONS_00010987 and LEPR have SSC-miR-323-binding sites and that LEPR might be a target of lncRNA TCONS_00010987 based on cis prediction. Wild-type and mutant TCONS_00010987-target sequence fragments and wild-type and mutant LEPR 3'-UTR fragments were generated and cloned into pmiRRB-REPORT^TM-Control vectors to construct respective recombinant plasmids. HEK293T cells were co-transfected with the SSC-miR-323 mimics or a negative control with constructs harboring the corresponding binding sites and relative luciferase activities were determined. Tissue expression patterns of lncRNA TCONS_00010987, SSC-miR-323, and LEPR in Anqing six-end-white (AQ, the obese breed) and Large White (LW, the lean breed) pigs were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction; backfat expression of LEPR protein was detected by western blotting. Results: Target gene fragments were successfully cloned, and the four recombinant vectors were constructed. Compared to the negative control, SSC-miR-323 mimics significantly inhibited luciferase activity from the wild-type TCONS_00010987-target sequence and wild-type LEPR-3'-UTR (p<0.01 for both) but not from the mutant TCONS_00010987-target sequence and mutant LEPR-3'-UTR (p>0.05 for both). Backfat expression levels of TCONS_00010987 and LEPR in AQ pigs were significantly higher than those in LW pigs (p<0.01), whereas levels of SSC-miR-323 in AQ pigs were significantly lower than those in LW pigs (p<0.05). LEPR protein levels in the backfat tissues of AQ pigs were markedly higher than those in LW pigs (p<0.01). Conclusion: LEPR is a potential target of SSC-miR-323, and TCONS_00010987 might act as a sponge for SSC-miR-323 to regulate LEPR expression.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.467-473
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• 2007

The most important factor for successful implantation is osseointegration between the implant and bone. The expression of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) inducing bone formation would differ after maxillary sinus elevation. And within the same graft material. the expression of BMPs would change with time after graft. The aim of this study was to compare the relative expressions of BMP4 and BMP6 using real-time RT-PCR when maxillary sinus elevation was performed using deproteinated bovine bone powder (DBBP) as the graft material or absorbable gelatin sponge (AGS) as the filler without any graft material. Fifteen rabbits, each weighing between 3.0 to 3.5 Kg, were divided randomly into 5 groups of 3 animals each based on their time of sacrifice 0, 3, 5, 7 and 9 days). After exposure of the maxillary sinus bilaterally, bone graft was performed in the right maxillary sinus using DBBP ($BBP^{(R)}$ Oct Inc., Cheonan, Korea) and only AGS ($Gelfoam^{(R)}$ Pharmacia & Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, MI, U.S.A) was placed into the left without any graft material. Each group of rabbits was sacrificed at 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 days after operation and all specimens were harvested. And the following results were obtained using real-time RT-PCR from isolated total RNA of the samples. 1. The expression of BMP4 increased at postoperative 1 and 3 days in both DBBP group and AGS group. In AGS group. it decreased at postoperative 5 days. increased again at postoperative 7 days, and decreased at postoperative 9 days. In DBBP group, it increased until postoperative 7 days and decreased at postoperative 9 days. Although the expression of BMP4 was higher in DBBP group compared with AGS group, it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). 2. The expression of BMP6 increased at postoperative 1 and 3 days in both DBBP group and AGS group. In AGS group, it decreased at postoperative 5 days, increased again at postoperative 7 days, and decreased at postoperative 9 days. In DBBP group, it increased until postoperative 7 days and decreased at postoperative 9 days. Although the expression of BMP6 was higher in AGS group compared with DBBP group, it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). 3. There was no statistically significant difference in BMP expression in both groups during same period of time. It' s probably because DBBP and AGS both functioned as a space retainer so that the BMP expression in blood clot seemed to be similar. 4. Thus, DBBP would not offer many benefits for early bone regeneration compared with AGS. The expression of BMP in early bone formation seems to be more influenced by physical carrier rather than the graft type.