发现关键癌基因的重要调节基因,带来新的药物靶标

<正>明尼苏达大学Masonic癌症中心的最新研究表明,MYC,一个与高达20%癌症相关的关键致癌基因,和PVT1,一个非编码RNA的相互关系可能是理解MYC如何助长癌症细胞的关键.该研究发表在最新一期的Nature上."我们知道MYC的扩增导致癌症.但我们同时也知道MYC并不单独扩增.它经常与邻近的染色体区域相配对.我们希望知道临近的基因是否具有作用."身为主要作者,明尼苏达医学院生物科学院的助理教授Anindya Bagchi博士如此说."我们冒险一试并吃惊地发现MYC与其邻居PVT1这出乎意外而非直观的相互     

RNA调控与作物农艺性状改良

具有重要育种价值的基因资源挖掘与功能研究对于现代农业育种应用至关重要.已有大量研究显示,核糖核酸(ribonucleic acid, RNA)在多种植物的生长发育和环境信号应答中发挥重要作用,是调控多种农作物与经济作物复杂农艺性状的重要基因资源.本文综述了小RNA和长链非编码RNA的生成代谢和功能机制,着重介绍了小RNA、长链非编码RNA及其RNA修饰在调控作物产量与品质、抗病与抗逆等方面的研究进展.同时介绍了利用RNA技术改良遗传性状的研究,并展望了RNA技术的开发与利用对于未来农业生物技术应用的重要意义.     

长链非编码RNA在心肌肥厚中的研究现状及进展

长链非编码RNA(long non-coding RNAs,lncRNAs)的结构、功能存在多样性,参与多种生理及病生理过程,具有重要的功能,是近期的生物医学研究热点之一。长链非编码RNA与多种心血管疾病密切相关,最新的报道发现长链非编码RNA在心肌肥厚的发生和发展中发挥重要作用。本文主要结合长链非编码RNA在心肌肥厚领域的研究现状,综述其在疾病发生发展中的作用和意义。     

长链非编码RNA与恶性肿瘤发生发展关系的研究进展

人类基因组数目庞大,其形成的基因调控网络控制着组织、器官细胞的增殖、分化和凋亡。但是,整个基因组中仅约2%的基因是编码RNA,可以翻译成蛋白质,98%左右的基因为非编码RNA。之前人们普遍认为非编码RNA不能翻译有效的蛋白质产生相应的功能,被视为基因组中的"废物"。目前,大量研究表明非编码RNA并不是基因组序列中没用的产物,而是未知的"黑暗物质",已有大量的研究发现非编码RNA在多种生物过程中起着重要的作用,并且在一些重大疾病如肿瘤、心血管的发生发展中发挥着不可小觑的作用。本文就长链非编码RNA在恶性肿瘤的发生发展中的作用机制做一综述。     

长链非编码RNA对骨质疏松症调控作用的研究进展

骨质疏松症是以骨密度减低和骨微结构破坏为特征的骨代谢性疾病,可引起骨脆性增加和骨折风险增大。近年来,随着骨质疏松症病因研究的深入,基因领域的机制研究获得了更多发现。长链非编码RNA参与多种生理和病理变化,已成为控制基因表达和影响多种生物过程的重要表观遗传调节因子。大量研究表明,长链非编码RNA能够通过调控干细胞分化和骨重塑等过程对骨质疏松症产生影响。该文主要针对长链非编码RNA对干细胞、成骨细胞及破骨细胞增殖、分化调控作用进行综述,旨在探讨长链非编码RNA在骨质疏松症形成机制中的调控作用,为骨质疏松症的预防和临床治疗提供理论依据。     

长链非编码RNA的生物学功能和研究方法

长链非编码RNA(long-noncoding RNA,lncRNA)是一类长度大于200nt的非编码RNA(noncoding RNA,ncRNA),不具有编码蛋白质的功能,直接以RNA的形式发挥作用,以诱饵分子、信号分子、引导分子和支架分子的方式在转录水平和转录后水平调节蛋白质编码基因的表达,参与细胞分化和个体发育等生命过程。lncRNA存在普遍的转录现象,但与蛋白质编码基因相比表达水平较低。基因组测序结果显示生物体内仅有少量的编码基因,绝大部分基因以非编码的形式存在于动物和植物体内起调控作用。近年来以miRNA和siRNA为代表的ncRNA的研究已经取得了丰硕的成果,而lncRNA的研究才刚刚开始,但是已经有研究表明lncRNA有广泛的生物学功能,如染色体修饰、X染色体沉默、干扰或激活转录和核内运输等。以转录组测序、微阵列和荧光原位杂交为代表的研究方法也在发展完善。     

非编码RNA(ncRNA)在前列腺癌发生发展中的作用机制

人类基因组计划的研究结果显示,仅有2.5万~3万个蛋白质编码基因,占总基因组序列不到3%,其余基因组序列转录产生的RNA都是非编码RNA(non-coding RNA,ncRNA).ncRNA与恶性肿瘤发生发展关系密切.近年来,关于ncRNA中的长链非编码RNA(lncRNA)以及环状RNA(circRNA)的研究进展迅速.本文就lncRNA以及circRNA在前列腺癌中作用机制的研究进展作一综述.     

长链非编码RAN的研究进展

人类基因组计划完成证实,人类共有3-3.5万个编码基因,这些基因所涵盖的编码信息仅占人类30亿个碱基对中携带遗传信息的1.5%,其余超过98%的遗传信息并不直接编码蛋白质。近些年来由于测序技术的飞速发展,人们发现这部分遗传信息与调控、剪切、转录等生物过程密切相关,其中长链非编码RNA具有表观遗传学调控、转录调控、疾病调控、细胞分化和个体发育等重要的生命过程的调控等过程,因此如何寻找RAN的功能单元和预测新的长链非编码RNA成为很重要的问题。就非编码RNA的起源与进化进行阐述,综述了长链非编码RNA在癌症上的功能,综合了长链非编码RNA一些常见的数据库及使用最新的生物信息学手段和相关技术预测长链非编码RNA,并进行进一步的功能研究。     

长链非编码RNA TERRA的研究进展

端粒是染色体末端的特殊结构,对染色体具有保护作用,并且和衰老及很多疾病相关。长链非编码RNA是长度大于200bp且一般不具有编码功能的RNA。TERRA(telomeric repeat-containing RNA)是由端粒重复序列转录的一类长链非编码RNA,研究表明TERRA具有参与调控端粒长度,促进异染色体形成和保护染色体末端等功能,并且TERRA的表达与疾病和衰老相关。由于TERRA对于端粒具有重要作用,因此对于TERRA的研究已经成为端粒相关研究中的热点。目前对于TERRA的转录调控及生物学功能已有较为深入的了解。现对TERRA的生物学特性,功能和与疾病及衰老的关系进行综述,以期为TERRA后续的研究如作为疾病治疗靶点,延缓衰老等提供参考。     

LncRNA PVT1 predicts prognosis and regulates tumor growth in prostate cancer

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plasmacytoma variant translocation 1(PVT1) was aberrantly expressed in various cancers and is associated with tumor prognosis. Here, we aim to investigate its function in prostate cancer. Small interfering RNA against PVT1 was transfected into prostate cancer cell lines and cell growth and apoptosis were analyzed. Our results showed that PVT1 was overexpressed in prostate cancer tissues and cells. Higher levels of PVT1 indicated poorer overall survival and disease-free survival. A significant association was found between PVT1 expression and tumor stage. Besides, PVT1 knockdown significantly inhibited prostate cancer growth in vivo and in vitro and promoted cell apoptosis. PVT1 knockdown also significantly upregulated the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9, but downregulated the expression of c-Myc in prostate cancer cell lines. Our results suggest that PVT1 played an oncogenic role in prostate cancer and could be used as a potential biomarker for diagnosis of prostate cancer.     

长非编码RNA THOR在肿瘤中的作用

长非编码RNA（long non-coding RNA,lncRNA）是一类长度超过200 nt并且缺乏蛋白质编码潜能的RNA分子。最初lncRNA被认为是由RNA聚合酶Ⅱ转录的副产物,且无生物学功能。随着转录组测序技术的发展,大规模的lncRNA被鉴定出来。越来越多的证据表明,lncRNA参与多种生物学过程,包括基因印记、基因组重排、染色质修饰、细胞周期调控、转录、剪接、mRNA降解和翻译。lncRNA异常表达与人类多种疾病相关,尤其是增生性疾病,包括胃癌、肝癌和直肠癌等。其中,睾丸相关的高度保守的致癌长非编码RNA（testis-associated highly-conserved oncogenic long non-coding RNA,THOR）是一种非常保守的非编码RNA,在睾丸中特异性表达,并广泛存在于人的多种肿瘤组织中,如肝癌、胃癌、鼻咽癌、肾细胞癌、骨肉瘤、视网膜母细胞瘤、黑色素瘤、非小细胞肺癌和舌鳞状细胞癌中,在其发生和发展过程中发挥重要作用。在鼻咽癌、肾细胞癌、骨肉瘤、黑色素瘤、非小细胞肺癌和舌鳞状细胞癌中,THOR主要通过与胰岛素样生长因子2 mRNA结合蛋白1（insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 1,IGF2BP1）相互作用,促进肿瘤细胞的增殖。在肝癌中,THOR分别通过PTEN/AKT和β-联蛋白信号促进癌细胞的增殖和肝肿瘤干细胞的扩增。在胃癌和骨肉瘤中,THOR主要通过提高SOX9的表达增强癌细胞的干性。在视网膜母细胞瘤中,THOR主要通过提高c-myc的表达促进癌细胞增殖。在鼻咽癌中,THOR主要通过提高YAP的表达增强癌细胞的干性。     

长非编码RNA THOR在肿瘤中的作用

长非编码RNA（long non-coding RNA,lncRNA）是一类长度超过200 nt并且缺乏蛋白质编码潜能的RNA分子。最初lncRNA被认为是由RNA聚合酶Ⅱ转录的副产物,且无生物学功能。随着转录组测序技术的发展,大规模的lncRNA被鉴定出来。越来越多的证据表明,lncRNA参与多种生物学过程,包括基因印记、基因组重排、染色质修饰、细胞周期调控、转录、剪接、mRNA降解和翻译。lncRNA异常表达与人类多种疾病相关,尤其是增生性疾病,包括胃癌、肝癌和直肠癌等。其中,睾丸相关的高度保守的致癌长非编码RNA（testis-associated highly-conserved oncogenic long non-coding RNA,THOR）是一种非常保守的非编码RNA,在睾丸中特异性表达,并广泛存在于人的多种肿瘤组织中,如肝癌、胃癌、鼻咽癌、肾细胞癌、骨肉瘤、视网膜母细胞瘤、黑色素瘤、非小细胞肺癌和舌鳞状细胞癌中,在其发生和发展过程中发挥重要作用。在鼻咽癌、肾细胞癌、骨肉瘤、黑色素瘤、非小细胞肺癌和舌鳞状细胞癌中,THOR主要通过与胰岛素样生长因子2 mRNA结合蛋白1（insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 1,IGF2BP1）相互作用,促进肿瘤细胞的增殖。在肝癌中,THOR分别通过PTEN/AKT和β-联蛋白信号促进癌细胞的增殖和肝肿瘤干细胞的扩增。在胃癌和骨肉瘤中,THOR主要通过提高SOX9的表达增强癌细胞的干性。在视网膜母细胞瘤中,THOR主要通过提高c-myc的表达促进癌细胞增殖。在鼻咽癌中,THOR主要通过提高YAP的表达增强癌细胞的干性。     

Role of MicroRNA 1207-5P and Its Host Gene,the Long Non-Coding RNA Pvt1, as Mediators of Extracellular Matrix Accumulation in the Kidney: Implications for Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of chronic kidney failure and end-stage renal disease in the Western World. One of the major characteristics of this disease is the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the kidney glomeruli. While both environmental and genetic determinants are recognized for their role in the development of diabetic nephropathy, epigenetic factors, such as DNA methylation, long non-coding RNAs, and microRNAs, have also recently been found to underlie some of the biological mechanisms, including ECM accumulation, leading to the disease. We previously found that a long non-coding RNA, the plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1), increases plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) in mesangial cells, the two main contributors to ECM accumulation in the glomeruli under hyperglycemic conditions, as well as fibronectin 1 (FN1), a major ECM component. Here, we report that miR-1207-5p, a PVT1-derived microRNA, is abundantly expressed in kidney cells, and is upregulated by glucose and TGF-β1. We also found that like PVT1, miR-1207-5p increases expression of TGF-β1, PAI-1, and FN1 but in a manner that is independent of its host gene. In addition, regulation of miR-1207-5p expression by glucose and TGFβ1 is independent of PVT1. These results provide evidence supporting important roles for miR-1207-5p and its host gene in the complex pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.     

Long non-coding RNA PVT1-5 promotes cell proliferation by regulating miR-126/SLC7A5 axis in lung cancer

Dysregulated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) play key roles in the development of human cancers. The lncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) is reported to be an oncogene in a variety of cancers. However, the roles of PVT1-5 and its related miRNAs in lung cancer are poorly understood. In this study, we found that PVT1-5 expression was significantly increased in lung cancer tissues and cell lines. By using biotin-labeled lncRNA-PVT1-5 probe for miRNA in vivo precipitation (miRIP) in lung cancer cells and dual-luciferase reporterassays, we identified that miR-126 was associated with lncRNA-PVT1-5. Furthermore, knockdown of lncRNA-PVT1-5 in cells could down-regulate the expression of SLC7A5, the target of oncogenic miR-126, resulting in the cell proliferation. Conversely, inhibiting the expression of miR-126 markedly increased the expression of SLC7A5 and alleviated cell proliferation inhibition. Thus, our results indicated that lncRNA-PVT1-5 may function as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-126 to promote cell proliferation by regulating the miR-126/SLC7A5 pathway, suggesting that lncRNA-PVT1-5 plays a crucial role in lung cancer progression and lncRNA-PVT1-5/miR-126/SLC7A5 regulatory network may shed light on tumorigenesis in lung cancer.     

Long non-coding RNA PVT1 promotes malignancy in human endometrial carcinoma cells through negative regulation of miR-195-5p

The plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1)¹ gene is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)² that has been shown to be an oncogene in many cancers. Herein, the function and potential molecular mechanisms connecting PVT1 and miR-195-5p were elucidated in endometrial cancer cell lines. Quantitative real-time PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)³ demonstrated that PVT1 is up-regulated concomitant with miR-195-5p down-regulation in human endometrial carcinoma tissues. PVT1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while facilitating apoptosis of endometrial cancer cells. Moreover, restoration of miR-195-5p due to PVT1 knockdown exerted tumor-suppressive functions. We observed that PVT1 promotes malignant cell behavior by decreasing miR-195-5p expression. Binding of PVT1 and miR-195-5p was confirmed using luciferase assays. Furthermore, expression of miR-195-5p negatively correlates with PVT1 expression. At the molecular level, either PVT1 knockdown or miR-195-5p overexpression resulted in a decrease of acidic fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR1)⁴ and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2).⁵ FGFR1 and FGF2 are targets of miR-195-5p that play a critical role in endometrial carcinoma by activating PI3K/AKT and MAPK/Erk pathways. Remarkably, PVT1 knockdown combined with miR-195-5p overexpression led to tumor regression in vivo. Overall, these results depict a novel pathway mediated by PVT1 in endometrial carcinoma, which may have potential application for endometrial carcinoma therapy.