Reciprocal Interactions Between Apelin and Noncoding RNAs in Cancer Progression

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Gene Regulation

Background:

• Apelin, a peptide ligand for APJ, is overexpressed in cancers, promoting proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, metastasis, and immune evasion.
• Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including lncRNAs, circRNAs, and miRNAs, are key regulators of gene expression with emerging roles in cancer.
• A growing body of evidence indicates a complex, bidirectional crosstalk between apelin and ncRNAs in the context of tumorigenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the intricate bidirectional interplay between apelin and ncRNAs in various cancer types.
• To provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying this crosstalk.
• To explore the potential therapeutic implications of targeting the apelin-ncRNA axis in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on apelin and ncRNA interactions in cancer.
• Analysis of studies detailing miRNA targeting of apelin mRNA and its impact on tumor growth.
• Examination of research on how specific lncRNAs and circRNAs modulate apelin expression in different cancers.

Main Results:

• Several miRNAs (e.g., miR-224, miR-195-5p, miR-204-5p) directly target apelin mRNA, inhibiting its expression and suppressing tumor growth in cancers like prostate, lung, and HCC.
• Certain ncRNAs, including circ-NOTCH1, circ-ZNF264, and lncRNA BACE1-AS, upregulate apelin expression in gastric cancer, glioma, and HCC.
• Apelin signaling can also influence the expression of ncRNAs, such as circ_0000004/miR-1303, miR-15a-5p, and miR-106a-5p, affecting tumorigenesis in osteosarcoma, lung, and prostate cancers.

Conclusions:

• The crosstalk between apelin and ncRNAs is a significant factor in cancer development and progression.
• Targeting this bidirectional interaction presents a promising avenue for novel cancer therapies.
• Further research into the molecular mechanisms of this crosstalk could lead to more effective treatment strategies.