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Identifying Inhibitors of the HBx-DDB1 Interaction Using a Split Luciferase Assay System
Published on: December 21, 2019
Decoding the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in hepatitis B virus-driven hepatocellular carcinoma
Kainat Ahmed1, Anwaruddin Mohammad2,3, Nan Chaiyariti1
1Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
This study identifies a novel circRNA-miRNA-mRNA axis, circADGRL2-miR-361-5p-BDNF, in hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC). This axis may serve as a prognostic biomarker for HBV-HCC patients, aiding in early diagnosis and improved outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) integration into host DNA presents diagnostic and prognostic challenges in HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC).
- Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play roles in cancer progression and can serve as biomarkers by interacting with microRNAs (miRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a bioinformatic model to identify the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA axis in HBV-integrated HCC cell lines.
- To discover prognostic biomarkers specific to HBV-HCC patients.
Main Methods:
- RNA sequencing and differential gene expression analysis to identify dysregulated circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs.
- Bioinformatic tools (mirDB, GEO, STRING, Cytoscape) to predict miRNA targets, construct networks, and identify hub genes.
- Sanger sequencing and RT-qPCR for circRNA validation; survival analysis for prognostic assessment.
Main Results:
- Identified 494 dysregulated circRNAs, 346 miRNAs, and 10,419 mRNAs in HBV-integrated cells.
- Discovered a potential circADGRL2-miR-361-5p-BDNF axis, with circADGRL2 highly upregulated and BDNF showing the highest risk ratio in HBV-HCC.
- Predicted target mRNAs are involved in cancer-related pathways like MAPK and RAS.
Conclusions:
- A dysregulated circRNA-miRNA-mRNA axis is implicated in HBV-integrated hepatocytes.
- This axis may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker for HBV-HCC, offering insights into disease progression.
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