Pseudogene RACGAP1P activates RACGAP1/Rho/ERK signalling axis as a competing endogenous RNA to promote hepatocellular carcinoma early recurrence
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
Authors: Wang, Meng-Yao; Chen, Dong-Ping; Qi, Bin; Li, Ming-Yi; Zhu, Yan-Yi; Yin, Wen-Jing; He, Lu; Yu, Yi; Li, Zhou-Yu; Lin, Ling; Yang, Fang; Lin, Zhi-Rui; Liu, Jin-Quan
Abstract
Accumulating evidence has indicated crucial roles for pseudogenes in human cancers. However, the roles played by pseudogenes in the pathogenesis of HCC, particularly HCC early recurrence, still incompletely elucidated. Herein, we identify a novel early recurrence related pseudogene RACGAP1P which was significantly upregulated in HCC and was associated with larger tumour size, advanced clinical stage, abnormal AFP level and shorter survival time. In vitro and in vivo experiments have shown that RACGAP1P is a prerequisite for the development of malignant characteristics of HCC cells, including cell growth and migration. Mechanistic investigations indicated that RACGAP1P elicits its oncogenic activity as a ceRNA to sequestrate miR-15-5p from its endogenous target RACGAP1, thereby leading to the upregulation of RACGAP1 and the activation of RhoA/ERK signalling. These results may provide new insights into the functional crosstalk of the pseudogene/miRNA/parent-gene genetic network during HCC early relapse and may contribute to improving the clinical intervention for this subset of HCC patients.
Tangshen Formula Treatment for Diabetic Kidney Disease by Inhibiting Racgap1-stata 5-Mediated Cell Proliferation and Restoring miR-669j-Arntl-Related Circadian Rhythm
MEDICAL SCIENCE MONITOR
Authors: Wang, Xiuying; Zhao, Hai; Wu, Xingquan; Xi, Guangsheng; Zhou, Shengxue
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms of Tangshen formula (TSF) for treatment of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Material/Methods: Microarray dataset GSE90842 was collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, including renal cortical tissues from normal control (NC), DKD, and DKD mice given TSF for 12 weeks (TSF) (n=3). Differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using LIMMA method. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using data from the STRING database followed by module analysis. The Mirwalk2 database was used to predict the underlying miRNAs of DEGs. Function enrichment analysis was performed using the DAVID tool. Results: A total of 2277 and 2182 genes were identified as DEGs between DKD and NC or TSF groups, respectively. After overlap, 373 DEGs were considered as common in 2 comparison groups. Function enrichment indicated common DEGs were related to cell proliferation (Asf1b, anti-silencing function 1B histone chaperone; Anln, anillin, actin-binding protein; Racgap1, Rac GTPase activating protein 1; and Stat5, signal transducer and activator of transcription 5) and circadian rhythm (Arntl, aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like). Racgap1 was considered as a hub gene in the PPI network because it could interact with Asf1b, Anln, and Stat5. Arntl was regulated by miR-669j in the miRNA-DEGs network and this miRNA was also a DEG in 2 comparisons. Conclusions: TSF may be effective for DKD by inhibiting Racgap1-stata5-mediated cell proliferation and restoring miR-669j-Arntl- related circadian rhythm.