Gut Liver.  2023 Nov;17(6):916-925. 10.5009/gnl210572.

Long Noncoding RNA Cytoskeleton Regulator RNA Suppresses Apoptosis in Hepatoma Cells by Modulating the miR-125a-5p/ HS1-Associated Protein X-1 Axis to Induce Caspase-9 Inactivation

• Wu ZY
• Wang Y
• Hu H
• Ai XN
• Zhang Q
• Qin YG

• KMID: 2548450
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5009/gnl210572

Abstract

Background/Aims
The involvement of long noncoding RNAs in the carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been well documented by substantial evidence. However, whether cytoskeleton regulator RNA (CYTOR) could affect the progression of HCC remains unclear.
Methods
The relative expression of CYTOR, miR-125a-5p and HS1-associated protein X-1 (HAX-1) mRNA in HCC cells were determined via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The viability of treated HCC cells was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Cell apoptosis was estimated by flow cytometry analysis, assessment of caspase-9 activity and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling staining, and Western blot of apoptosisrelated proteins. The interplay between CYTOR or HAX-1 and miR-125a-5p was validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay.
Results
CYTOR was upregulated and miR-125a-5p was downregulated in HCC cells. CYTOR silencing inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis in HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells. miR-125a-5p was sponged and negatively regulated by CYTOR, and HAX-1 was directly targeted and negatively modulated by miR-125a-5p. Overexpression of miR-125a-5p enhanced the repressive effects of CYTOR knockdown on HCC cells, and knockdown of HAX-1 enhanced the inhibitory effects of miR-125a-5p mimics on HCC cells.
Conclusions
CYTOR silencing facilitates HCC cell apoptosis in vitro via the miR-125a-5p/HAX-1 axis.

Keyword

Hepatocellular carcinoma; lncRNA CYTOR; miR-125a-5p; HAX-1; Apoptosis