Long Noncoding RNAs Coregulated by Annexin A7 and JNK in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Identified by Whole-Genome...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Annexin A7 (ANXA7) and C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways are implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth and lymph node metastasis (LNM).
• The molecular mechanisms linking ANXA7, JNK, and HCC progression, particularly the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify novel long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) involved in Annexin A7 (ANXA7) and C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
• To explore potential therapeutic targets for inhibiting HCC proliferation, migration, invasion, and lymph node metastasis.

Main Methods:

• RNA sequencing was performed on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells with stable knockdown of Annexin A7 (ANXA7) or C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK).
• Differential expression analysis identified lncRNAs affected by ANXA7 and JNK knockdown.
• Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analyses were used to assess the putative roles of selected lncRNAs in cancer regulation.

Main Results:

• Knockdown of ANXA7 or JNK significantly altered the expression of numerous lncRNAs in HCC cells.
• Fifty-six lncRNAs were found to be differentially expressed under both ANXA7 and JNK knockdown conditions.
• Specific lncRNAs, including NONMMUT012084.2, NONMMUT024756.2, and ENSMUST00000130486, were suppressed, while ENSMUST00000197932 was enhanced by ANXA7 or JNK knockdown.

Conclusions:

• The identified lncRNAs are significantly regulated by ANXA7 and JNK signaling in HCC.
• These lncRNAs represent promising candidate targets for further mechanistic studies and potential therapeutic interventions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its associated lymph node metastasis (LNM).