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1.
J Biomed Sci ; 31(1): 59, 2024 Jun 05.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38835012

RESUMO

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most prevalent and fatal type of bone tumor. It is characterized by great heterogeneity of genomic aberrations, mutated genes, and cell types contribution, making therapy and patients management particularly challenging. A unifying picture of molecular mechanisms underlying the disease could help to transform those challenges into opportunities.This review deeply explores the occurrence in OS of large-scale RNA regulatory networks, denominated "competing endogenous RNA network" (ceRNET), wherein different RNA biotypes, such as long non-coding RNAs, circular RNAs and mRNAs can functionally interact each other by competitively binding to shared microRNAs. Here, we discuss how the unbalancing of any network component can derail the entire circuit, driving OS onset and progression by impacting on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, tumor growth and metastasis, and even chemotherapeutic resistance, as distilled from many studies. Intriguingly, the aberrant expression of the networks components in OS cells can be triggered also by the surroundings, through cytokines and vesicles, with their bioactive cargo of proteins and non-coding RNAs, highlighting the relevance of tumor microenvironment. A comprehensive picture of RNA regulatory networks underlying OS could pave the way for the development of innovative RNA-targeted and RNA-based therapies and new diagnostic tools, also in the perspective of precision oncology.


Assuntos
Osteossarcoma , Humanos , Osteossarcoma/genética , Osteossarcoma/terapia , RNA Longo não Codificante/genética , RNA Longo não Codificante/metabolismo , Neoplasias Ósseas/genética , Neoplasias Ósseas/terapia , Neoplasias Ósseas/metabolismo , Neoplasias Ósseas/patologia , Redes Reguladoras de Genes , RNA Circular/genética , MicroRNAs/genética , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica
2.
Int J Mol Sci ; 24(10)2023 May 17.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37240232

RESUMO

Transcriptome complexity is emerging as an unprecedented and fascinating domain, especially by high-throughput sequencing technologies that have unveiled a plethora of new non-coding RNA biotypes. This review covers antisense long non-coding RNAs, i.e., lncRNAs transcribed from the opposite strand of other known genes, and their role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Several sense-antisense transcript pairs have been recently annotated, especially from mammalian genomes, and an understanding of their evolutionary sense and functional role for human health and diseases is only beginning. Antisense lncRNAs dysregulation is significantly involved in hepatocarcinogenesis, where they can act as oncogenes or oncosuppressors, thus playing a key role in tumor onset, progression, and chemoradiotherapy response, as deduced from many studies discussed here. Mechanistically, antisense lncRNAs regulate gene expression by exploiting various molecular mechanisms shared with other ncRNA molecules, and exploit special mechanisms on their corresponding sense gene due to sequence complementarity, thus exerting epigenetic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational controls. The next challenges will be piecing together the complex RNA regulatory networks driven by antisense lncRNAs and, ultimately, assigning them a function in physiological and pathological contexts, in addition to defining prospective novel therapeutic targets and innovative diagnostic tools.


Assuntos
Carcinoma Hepatocelular , Neoplasias Hepáticas , RNA Longo não Codificante , Animais , Humanos , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/metabolismo , RNA Longo não Codificante/genética , RNA Longo não Codificante/metabolismo , Neoplasias Hepáticas/metabolismo , Estudos Prospectivos , RNA não Traduzido , RNA Antissenso/genética , Mamíferos/metabolismo
3.
Curr Issues Mol Biol ; 44(10): 5106-5116, 2022 Oct 21.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36286061

RESUMO

Given the increasing interest in bioactive dietary components that can modulate gene expression enhancing human health, three metabolites isolated from hemp seeds-cannabidiolic acid, N-trans-caffeoyltyramine, and cannabisin B-were examined for their ability to change the expression levels of microRNAs in human neural cells. To this end, cultured SH-SY5Y cells were treated with the three compounds and their microRNA content was characterized by next-generation small RNA sequencing. As a result, 31 microRNAs underwent major expression changes, being at least doubled or halved by the treatments. A computational analysis of the biological pathways affected by these microRNAs then showed that some are implicated in neural functions, such as axon guidance, hippocampal signaling, and neurotrophin signaling. Of these, miR-708-5p, miR-181a-5p, miR-190a-5p, miR-199a-5p, and miR-143-3p are known to be involved in Alzheimer's disease and their expression changes are expected to ameliorate neural function. Overall, these results provide new insights into the mechanism of action of hemp seed metabolites and encourage further studies to gain a better understanding of their biological effects on the central nervous system.

4.
Int J Mol Sci ; 23(2)2022 Jan 06.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35054794

RESUMO

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) constitute the majority of the transcriptome, as the result of pervasive transcription of the mammalian genome. Different RNA species, such as lncRNAs, miRNAs, circRNA, mRNAs, engage in regulatory networks based on their reciprocal interactions, often in a competitive manner, in a way denominated "competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks" ("ceRNET"): miRNAs and other ncRNAs modulate each other, since miRNAs can regulate the expression of lncRNAs, which in turn regulate miRNAs, titrating their availability and thus competing with the binding to other RNA targets. The unbalancing of any network component can derail the entire regulatory circuit acting as a driving force for human diseases, thus assigning "new" functions to "old" molecules. This is the case of XIST, the lncRNA characterized in the early 1990s and well known as the essential molecule for X chromosome inactivation in mammalian females, thus preventing an imbalance of X-linked gene expression between females and males. Currently, literature concerning XIST biology is becoming dominated by miRNA associations and they are also gaining prominence for other lncRNAs produced by the X-inactivation center. This review discusses the available literature to explore possible novel functions related to ceRNA activity of lncRNAs produced by the X-inactivation center, beyond their role in dosage compensation, with prospective implications for emerging gender-biased functions and pathological mechanisms.


Assuntos
Mecanismo Genético de Compensação de Dose , RNA Longo não Codificante/metabolismo , Inativação do Cromossomo X/genética , Aneuploidia , Animais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Modelos Biológicos , RNA Longo não Codificante/genética , Síndrome
5.
Cell Biol Int ; 45(8): 1797-1803, 2021 Aug.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33818827

RESUMO

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of death of malignant tumors worldwide. Recent studies point to a role for the adiponectin-receptor axis in colorectal carcinogenesis, and in particular to the oncosuppressive properties of the T-cadherin receptor. In addition, the loss of T-cadherin expression in tumor tissues has been linked to cancer progression and attributed to aberrant methylation of its promoter. Recognizing the pivotal role of microRNAs in CRC, this study explores their possible contribution to the downregulation of T-cadherin. A systematic bioinformatics analysis, restricted by microRNA expression data in the colon or in cultured colorectal cell lines, predicted twelve top-ranking target miRNA sites within the 3' UTR of T-cadherin. Experimental validation analyses based on luciferase reporter constructs and miRNA mimic or miRNA inhibitor transfections toward colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines indicated that miR-377-3p was able to directly bind to the T-cadherin sequence, and thus downregulating its expression. Given the oncogenic activity of miR-377 and the oncosuppressive activity of T-cadherin in CRC, the regulatory circuit highlighted in this study may add new insights into molecular mechanisms driving colorectal carcinogenesis, and perspectively it could be exploited to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets.


Assuntos
Caderinas/metabolismo , Neoplasias Colorretais/metabolismo , Regulação para Baixo/fisiologia , Genes Supressores de Tumor/fisiologia , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Células CACO-2 , Caderinas/antagonistas & inibidores , Caderinas/genética , Neoplasias Colorretais/genética , Células HT29 , Humanos , MicroRNAs/genética
6.
Cell Mol Life Sci ; 77(20): 4069-4080, 2020 Oct.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32356180

RESUMO

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small-non coding RNAs endowed with great regulatory power, thus playing key roles not only in almost all physiological pathways, but also in the pathogenesis of several diseases. Surprisingly, genomic distribution analysis revealed the highest density of miRNA sequences on the X chromosome; this evolutionary conserved mammalian feature equips females with a larger miRNA machinery than males. However, miRNAs contribution to some X-related conditions, properties or functions is still poorly explored. With the aim to support and focus research in the field, this review analyzes the literature and databases about X-linked miRNAs, trying to understand how miRNAs could contribute to emerging gender-biased functions and pathological mechanisms, such as immunity and cancer. A fine map of miRNA sequences on the X chromosome is reported, and their known functions are discussed; in addition, bioinformatics functional analyses of the whole X-linked miRNA targetome (predicted and validated) were performed. The emerging scenario points to different gaps in the knowledge that should be filled with future experimental investigations, also in terms of possible implications and pathological perspectives for X chromosome aneuploidy syndromes, such as Turner and Klinefelter syndromes.


Assuntos
Cromossomos Humanos X/genética , MicroRNAs/genética , Animais , Biologia Computacional/métodos , Humanos , Síndrome de Klinefelter/genética , Neoplasias/genética , Síndrome de Turner/genética
7.
Molecules ; 26(11)2021 May 28.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34071597

RESUMO

In the search of new natural products to be explored as possible anticancer drugs, two plant species, namely Ononis diffusa and Ononis variegata, were screened against colorectal cancer cell lines. The cytotoxic activity of the crude extracts was tested on a panel of colon cancer cell models including cetuximab-sensitive (Caco-2, GEO, SW48), intrinsic (HT-29 and HCT-116), and acquired (GEO-CR, SW48-CR) cetuximab-resistant cell lines. Ononis diffusa showed remarkable cytotoxic activity, especially on the cetuximab-resistant cell lines. The active extract composition was determined by NMR analysis. Given its complexity, a partial purification was then carried out. The fractions obtained were again tested for their biological activity and their metabolite content was determined by 1D and 2D NMR analysis. The study led to the identification of a fraction enriched in oxylipins that showed a 92% growth inhibition of the HT-29 cell line at a concentration of 50 µg/mL.


Assuntos
Cetuximab/farmacologia , Neoplasias do Colo/tratamento farmacológico , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética/métodos , Ononis/metabolismo , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Células CACO-2 , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Neoplasias Colorretais/tratamento farmacológico , Desenho de Fármacos , Células HCT116 , Células HT29 , Humanos , Oxilipinas/química , Fitoterapia/métodos , Especificidade da Espécie
8.
Mol Biol Rep ; 47(6): 4875-4878, 2020 Jun.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32410140

RESUMO

Zbtb7a is a transcription factor whose dysfunction is correlated to the development of several types of cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It generally acts as a repressor of transcription downregulating the expression of several target genes including oncosuppressors ARF and Rb. In this study, Zbtb7a was found to suppress the expression of miR-125a, an oncosuppressive miRNA that is often downregulated in HCC. This effect is mediated by the binding of the transcription factor to a regulatory sequence in the promoter of the transcription unit of miR-125a located 14 bp upstream of the transcription start site. Consistent with this observation, the analysis of 370 HCC samples showed an upregulation of Zbtb7a compared to 50 normal liver tissues and a reverse correlation with miR-125a expression. These data suggest that miR-125a may support the oncogenic potential of Zbtb7a.


Assuntos
Carcinoma Hepatocelular/genética , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/genética , MicroRNAs/genética , Fatores de Transcrição/genética , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células/genética , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/metabolismo , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica/genética , Humanos , Neoplasias Hepáticas/genética , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Proto-Oncogene Mas , Proto-Oncogenes/genética , Fatores de Transcrição/metabolismo
9.
Int J Mol Sci ; 21(14)2020 Jul 17.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32709089

RESUMO

MicroRNAs (miRNA), and more recently long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA), are emerging as a driving force for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. In this work, we investigated a possible RNA regulatory network involving two oncosuppressive miRNAs, miR-125a and let-7e, and a long non-coding antisense RNA, SPACA6P-AS (SP-AS), all transcribed from the same locus, with SP-AS in the opposite direction and thus carrying complementary sequences to the miRNAs. In vitro experiments validated the binding of the miRNAs to SP-AS. Then, the boosting of either the miRNAs or SP-AS levels demonstrated their reciprocal inhibition. In addition, overexpression of SP-AS resulted in a reduced silencing activity of miR-125a and let-7e toward their key oncogenic targets, i.e., Lin28b, MMP11, SIRT7, Zbtb7a, Cyclin D1, CDC25B, HMGA2, that resulted significantly upregulated. Finally, the analysis of 374 HCC samples in comparison to 50 normal liver tissues showed an upregulation of SP-AS and a reverse expression of miR-125a, not observed for let-7e; consistently, miR-125a oncogenic targets were upregulated. Overall, the data depict a novel competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network, ceRNET, whereby miR-125a can regulate the expression of SP-AS, which in turn regulates the miRNA by competing with the binding to the mRNA targets. We speculate that the unbalancing of any network component may contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis.


Assuntos
Carcinoma Hepatocelular/genética , Redes Reguladoras de Genes , Neoplasias Hepáticas/genética , MicroRNAs/genética , RNA Longo não Codificante/genética , RNA Mensageiro/genética , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Humanos
10.
Int J Mol Sci ; 20(9)2019 May 03.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31058823

RESUMO

Silybin is a flavonolignan extracted from Silybum marianum (milk thistle) with hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity. Several studies have shown that silybin is highly effective to prevent and treat different types of cancer and that its antitumor mechanisms involve the arrest of the cell cycle and/or apoptosis. An MTT assay was performed to study cell viability, lipid peroxidation, extracellular NO production, and scavenger enzyme activity were studied by Thiobarbituric Acid-Reactive Species (TBARS) assay, NO assay, and MnSOD assay, respectively. Cell cycle and apoptosis analysis were performed by FACS. miRNA profiling were evaluated by real time PCR. In this study, we demonstrated that Silybin induced growth inhibition blocking the Hepg2 cells in G1 phase of cell cycle and activating the process of programmed cell death. Moreover, the antiproliferative effects of silybin were paralleled by a strong increase of the number of ceramides involved in the modulation of miRNA secretion. In particular, after treatment with silybin, miR223-3p and miR16-5p were upregulated, while miR-92-3p was downregulated (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that silybin-Induced apoptosis occurs in parallel to the increase of ceramides synthesis and miRNAs secretion in HepG2 cells.


Assuntos
Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/farmacologia , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Ceramidas/biossíntese , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , MicroRNAs/genética , Silibina/farmacologia , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/genética , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/metabolismo , Pontos de Checagem do Ciclo Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Metabolismo dos Lipídeos/efeitos dos fármacos , Neoplasias Hepáticas/genética , Neoplasias Hepáticas/metabolismo , Óxido Nítrico/biossíntese
11.
Molecules ; 24(9)2019 May 03.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31058835

RESUMO

In several European countries, especially in Sweden, the seeds of the species Astragalus boeticus L. were widely used as coffee substitutes during the 19th century. Nonetheless, data regarding the phytochemistry and the pharmacological properties of this species are currently extremely limited. Conversely, other species belonging to the Astragalus genus have already been extensively investigated, as they were used for millennia for treating various diseases, including cancer. The current work was addressed to characterize cycloartane glycosides from A. boeticus, and to evaluate their cytotoxicity towards human colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines. The isolation of the metabolites was performed by using different chromatographic techniques, while their chemical structures were elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (1D and 2D techniques) and electrospray-ionization quadrupole time-of-flight (ESI-QTOF) mass spectrometry. The cytotoxic assessment was performed in vitro by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays in Caco-2, HT-29 and HCT-116 CRC cells. As a result, the targeted phytochemical study of A. boeticus enabled the isolation of three new cycloartane glycosides, 6-O-acetyl-3-O-(4-O-malonyl)-ß-d-xylopyranosylcycloastragenol (1), 3-O-(4-O-malonyl)-ß-d-xylopyranosylcycloastragenol (2), 6-O-acetyl-25-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-3-O-ß-d-xylopyranosylcycloastragenol (3) along with two known compounds, 6-O-acetyl-3-O-ß-d-xylopyranosylcycloastragenol (4) and 3-O-ß-d-xylopyranosylcycloastragenol (5). Importantly, this work demonstrated that the acetylated cycloartane glycosides 1 and 4 might preferentially inhibit cell growth in the CRC cell model resistant to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors.


Assuntos
Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/farmacologia , Astrágalo/química , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos/efeitos dos fármacos , Glicosídeos/farmacologia , Triterpenos/química , Acilação , Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/química , Células CACO-2 , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Glicosídeos/química , Células HCT116 , Células HT29 , Humanos , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Estrutura Molecular , Extratos Vegetais/química , Espectrometria de Massas por Ionização por Electrospray , Suécia
12.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 500(3): 824-827, 2018 06 07.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29689270

RESUMO

MicroRNA-125a exhibits an antiproliferative activity and is downregulated in several types of tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma where it targets sirtuin-7, matrix metalloproteinase-11, and c-Raf. Another target of miR-125a is Lin28, a pluripotency factor that is generally undetectable in differentiated cells but is often upregulated/reactivated in tumors where it acts as an oncogenic factor promoting cell proliferation and tumor progression. In this study we show that downregulation of Lin28b by miR-125a partially accounts for its antiproliferative activity toward hepatocellular carcinoma cells. We also found that Lin28b is able to bind a conserved GGAG motif of pre-miR-125a and to inhibit its maturation in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Reciprocal inhibition between miR-125a and Lin28b reasonably generates a positive feedback loop where reactivation of Lin-28b inhibits the expression of both miR-125a and let-7, reinforcing its own expression and leading to a marked overexpression of the mitogenic targets of the two miRNAs. On the other hand, perturbation of these circuits by overexpression of miR-125a suppresses Lin28b leading to a decreased cell proliferation. Overall, these data support a tumor suppressive role for miR-125a and contribute to the elucidation of its molecular targets.


Assuntos
Carcinoma Hepatocelular/genética , Neoplasias Hepáticas/genética , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Proteínas de Ligação a RNA/metabolismo , Sequência de Bases , Sítios de Ligação , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/patologia , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células/genética , Regulação para Baixo/genética , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Neoplasias Hepáticas/patologia , MicroRNAs/genética , Proteínas de Ligação a RNA/genética
13.
Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis ; 1864(1): 317-323, 2018 Jan.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28962897

RESUMO

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, characterized by chronic inflammation, demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms. MicroRNA plays pivotal roles in cellular and developmental processes by regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Increasing evidence suggests the involvement of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including MS. We have already found that the expression of a specific miRNA, hsa-mir-26a-5p (miR-26a), changed during INF-ß treatment in responder Relapsing-Remitting MS patients. Functional annotations of mir-26a targets revealed that a number of genes were implicated in Glutamate Receptor Signaling pathway, which is notoriously altered in neurodegenerative diseases as MS. In this study, the different potential targets were subjected to a validation test based on luciferase reporter constructs transfected in an oligodendroglial cell line. In this functional screening, miR-26a was able to interact with SLC1A1 3' UTR suppressing the reporter activity. Transfection of a miR-26a mimic was then shown to decrease the endogenous SLC1A1 mRNA. Afterward, we have evaluated in blood platelets from interferon-ß treated Multiple Sclerosis patients the expression of miR-26a and SLC1A1, finding not only their converse expression, but also a responsiveness to interferon-ß therapy. Overall, these data suggest that mir-26a and SLC1A1 may play a role in the MS pathogenesis, and may be potential targets for the development of new biomarkers and/or therapeutic tools.


Assuntos
Transportador 3 de Aminoácido Excitatório/genética , MicroRNAs/fisiologia , Esclerose Múltipla/genética , Plaquetas/efeitos dos fármacos , Plaquetas/metabolismo , Plaquetas/patologia , Células Cultivadas , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Interferon beta/uso terapêutico , Esclerose Múltipla/tratamento farmacológico , Esclerose Múltipla/patologia , Oligodendroglia/efeitos dos fármacos , Oligodendroglia/metabolismo , Oligodendroglia/patologia , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Transdução de Sinais/genética
14.
J Cell Physiol ; 232(7): 1907-1913, 2017 Jul.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27982429

RESUMO

Sorafenib is an antitumor drug for treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It acts as a multikinase inhibitor suppressing cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Human microRNA-125a-5p (miR-125a) is endowed with similar activities and is frequently downregulated in HCC. Looking for a potential microRNA-based mechanism of action of the drug, we found that sorafenib increases cellular expression of miR-125a in cultured HuH-7 and HepG2 HCC cells. Upregulation of the microRNA inhibited cell proliferation by suppression of sirtuin-7, a NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase, and p21/p27-dependent cell cycle arrest in G1. Later, recruitment of miR-125a in the antiproliferative activity of sorafenib was inquired by modulating its expression in combination with the drug treatment. This analysis showed that intracellular delivery of miR-125a had no additive effect on the antiproliferative activity of sorafenib, whereas a miR-125a inhibitor could counteract it. Finally, evaluation of other oncogenic targets of miR-125a revealed its ability to interfere with the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-11, Zbtb7a proto-oncogene, and c-Raf, possibly contributing to the antiproliferative activity of the drug. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 1907-1913, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Assuntos
Carcinoma Hepatocelular/genética , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/patologia , Neoplasias Hepáticas/genética , Neoplasias Hepáticas/patologia , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Niacinamida/análogos & derivados , Compostos de Fenilureia/farmacologia , Sequência de Bases , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , MicroRNAs/genética , Niacinamida/farmacologia , Proto-Oncogene Mas , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Sorafenibe , Regulação para Cima/efeitos dos fármacos
16.
Mol Biol Rep ; 42(8): 1333-40, 2015 Aug.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25911188

RESUMO

Dicer is central to small RNA silencing pathways, thus playing an important role in physiological and pathological states. Recently, a number of mutations in dicer gene have been identified in diverse types of cancer, implicating Dicer in oncogenic cooperation. Here we report on the properties of a rare splice variant of the human dicer gene, occurring in neuroblastoma cells, and not detectable in normal tissues. Due to the skipping of one exon, the alternatively spliced transcript encodes a putative truncated protein, t-Dicer, lacking the dsRNA-binding domain and bearing altered one of the two RNase III catalytic centers. The ability of the exon-depleted t-dicer transcript to be translated in vitro was first investigated by the expression of flagged t-Dicer in human cells. We found that t-dicer transcript could be translated in vitro, albeit not as efficiently as full-length dicer transcript. Then, the possible enzymatic activity of t-Dicer was analyzed by an in vitro dicing assay able to distinguish the enzymatic activity of the individual RNase III domains. We showed that t-Dicer preserved partial dicing activity. Overall, the results indicate that t-dicer transcript could produce a protein still able to bind the substrate and to cleave only one of the two pre-miRNA strands. Given the increasing number of mutations reported for dicer gene in tumours, our experimental approach could be useful to characterize the activity of these mutants, which may dictate changes in selected classes of small RNAs and/or lead to their aberrant maturation.


Assuntos
Processamento Alternativo , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Neuroblastoma/enzimologia , Ribonuclease III/genética , Domínio Catalítico , Ensaios Enzimáticos , Éxons , Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Neuroblastoma/genética , Ribonuclease III/metabolismo
17.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 449(1): 141-5, 2014 Jun 20.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24824183

RESUMO

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a widespread human pathogen and chronic HBV infection is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Some cellular microRNAs are emerging as important regulators of virus-host interaction, indirectly or directly modulating HBV replication and pathogenesis. miR-125a binds the viral transcript encoding the surface antigen and interferes with its expression, thus inhibiting viral replication. Intriguingly, liver miR-125a expression has been found increased in patients with high levels of hepatic HBV-DNA. The present study investigates the mechanism by which liver exposure to HBV induces the expression of miR-125a. The analyses were first performed on liver biopsies from HBV patients, showing that the expression of the viral transactivator X protein (HBx) paralleled the increase of miR-125a expression. Then, transfection of HCC cell lines with an HBx-expressing vector showed a substantial increase of miR-125a expression. Overall, the available data depict a self-inhibitory feedback loop in which HBV, through HBx, increases the expression of miR-125a, that in turn interferes with expression of HBV surface antigen, thus repressing viral replication.


Assuntos
Vírus da Hepatite B/imunologia , Hepatite B/imunologia , Fígado/imunologia , Fígado/virologia , MicroRNAs/imunologia , Transativadores/imunologia , Carga Viral/imunologia , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Ligação Proteica , Distribuição Tecidual , Proteínas Virais Reguladoras e Acessórias
18.
Chem Res Toxicol ; 27(4): 611-26, 2014 Apr 21.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24547959

RESUMO

Oxidative stress has been proposed to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), playing a central role in amyloid ß-protein (Aß) generation and neuronal apoptosis. Oxidative damage directly correlates with the presence of Aß deposits. Aß and oxidative stress jointly induce neuronal death, Aß deposits, gliosis, and memory impairment in AD. In order to counteract AD neurodegeneration, the inhibition of the vicious cycle of Aß generation and oxidation is an attractive therapeutic strategy, and antiamyloidogenic and antioxidant herbal drugs could represent an alternative and valid approach. In this context, an alcoholic extract from Laurus nobilis leaves (LnM) and seven fractions obtained therefrom were of interest. All extracts prepared through extractive and chromatographic techniques were phytochemically studied by chromatographic techniques including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS(n)). The potential antioxidant efficacy of the obtained fractions was screened by DPPH(•) and ABTS(•+) assays, as well as specific assay media characterized from the presence of highly reactive ROS and RNS species (ROO(•), OH(•), O2(•-), and NO). In order to evaluate the preparation of safe and nontoxic extracts, MTT, SRB, and LDH assays toward SH-5YSY and SK-N-BE(2)-C human neuronal cell lines, as well as on C6 mouse glial cell line, were performed. The apoptosis-inducing properties by spectroscopic evaluation of the extracts' ability to activate caspase-3 and by a DNA fragmentation assay were also investigated. Data thus obtained allowed us to state the absence of toxic effects induced by phenolic-rich fractions (LnM, LnM-1, LnM-1a, LnM-1b, and LnM-2c), which at the same time exerted significant cytoprotective and antioxidant responses in hydrogen peroxide and Aß(25-35)-fragment-oxidized cell systems. The potential antiamyloidogenic efficacy of Laurus nobilis leaf polar extracts in the Aß(25-35) fragment oxidized cell systems was further analyzed by Congo red staining.


Assuntos
Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Laurus/química , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/farmacologia , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Folhas de Planta/química , Polifenóis/farmacologia , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Cromatografia Gasosa-Espectrometria de Massas , Humanos , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Espectrometria de Massas por Ionização por Electrospray , Espectrometria de Massas em Tandem
19.
Cancers (Basel) ; 16(8)2024 Apr 17.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38672608

RESUMO

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Non-coding RNAs are emerging as critical players for the onset and progression of cancer. Analyses of three different datasets revealed that the lncRNA JPX was overexpressed in adenocarcinoma tissues in comparison to normal lungs, as expected for an oncogene. Intriguingly, the predicted binding miR-378a-3p showed a significant inverse correlation with JPX expression. The lncRNA/miRNA physical interaction was validated by reporter vectors. Then, the oncogenic activity of JPX, the tumor-suppressive role of miR-378a-3p, and the contribution of their functional interaction to cancer hallmarks were demonstrated using assays for cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and 3D-spheroid formation. Finally, molecular circuits were investigated by boosting the expression of both JPX and miR-378a-3p, singularly and in combination, demonstrating that JPX counteracted miR-378a-3p silencing activity toward its oncogenic targets GLUT1, NRP1, YY1, and Wnt5a. Overall, the data unveil a novel ceRNET (competing endogenous RNA network), wherein JPX acts as a ceRNA by binding to miR-378a-3p, thus reducing the miRNA silencing activity toward its downstream targets, and eliciting oncogenic pathways driving lung cancer. The knowledge of the network may pave the way to develop new diagnostic panels, and innovative RNA-targeted and RNA-based therapeutic strategies.

20.
Biology (Basel) ; 13(2)2024 Feb 11.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38392333

RESUMO

This study aims to explore the complex role of cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1) signaling in the gastrocnemius muscle, assessing physiological processes in both CB1+/+ and CB1-/- mice. The primary focus is to enhance our understanding of how CB1 contributes to mitochondrial homeostasis. At the tissue level, CB1-/- mice exhibit a substantial miRNA-related alteration in muscle fiber composition, characterized by an enrichment of oxidative fibers. CB1 absence induces a significant increase in the oxidative capacity of muscle, supported by elevated in-gel activity of Complex I and Complex IV of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The increased oxidative capacity is associated with elevated oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defense systems. Analysis of mitochondrial biogenesis markers indicates an enhanced capacity for new mitochondria production in CB1-/- mice, possibly adapting to altered muscle fiber composition. Changes in mitochondrial dynamics, mitophagy response, and unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways reveal a dynamic interplay in response to CB1 absence. The interconnected mitochondrial network, influenced by increased fusion and mitochondrial UPR components, underlines the dual role of CB1 in regulating both protein quality control and the generation of new mitochondria. These findings deepen our comprehension of the CB1 impact on muscle physiology, oxidative stress, and MQC processes, highlighting cellular adaptability to CB1-/-. This study paves the way for further exploration of intricate signaling cascades and cross-talk between cellular compartments in the context of CB1 and mitochondrial homeostasis.

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