Related Experiment Videos

Hypoxia-repressed lncRNA ZNF213-AS1 restrains p65-driven epithelial-mesenchymal transition in ovarian cancer

Caixia Li1, Rong Chen1, Yujie Zhao2

  • 1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|July 17, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Hypoxia decreases ZNF213-AS1, a long noncoding RNA, in ovarian cancer. This promotes tumor growth, invasion, and platinum resistance by activating NF-κB and STAT3 signaling pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Hypoxia is a key driver of ovarian cancer progression, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and platinum resistance.
  • The specific long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) mediating these hypoxia-induced effects in ovarian cancer are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize the role of lncRNAs involved in hypoxia-driven ovarian cancer progression.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which ZNF213-AS1 regulates ovarian cancer aggressiveness and platinum resistance under hypoxic conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of TCGA-OV and GTEx datasets to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs.
  • In vitro studies involving ovarian cancer cell lines to assess the functional impact of ZNF213-AS1.
  • RNA pull-down and RIP assays to determine molecular interactions.
  • Xenograft models to evaluate therapeutic potential.

Main Results:

  • ZNF213-AS1 was identified as a downregulated lncRNA in ovarian cancer, with low expression correlating with poor survival and aggressive phenotypes.
  • Hypoxia repressed ZNF213-AS1 expression via a noncanonical mechanism, independent of HIF1α.
  • ZNF213-AS1 overexpression suppressed hypoxia-induced proliferation, invasion, and cisplatin resistance, while knockdown enhanced these effects.
  • ZNF213-AS1 directly interacted with NF-κB (RELA/p65) complexes, inhibiting NF-κB/STAT3 signaling and downstream EMT-related gene expression.

Conclusions:

  • A hypoxia-repressed ZNF213-AS1-p65 axis was defined, which suppresses NF-κB/STAT3-driven EMT and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer progression.
  • ZNF213-AS1 acts as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting key oncogenic signaling pathways activated by hypoxia.
  • Targeting the ZNF213-AS1 pathway may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for overcoming platinum resistance in ovarian cancer.
Keywords:
EMTHypoxiaNF-κB signalingOvarian cancerZNF213-AS1

Related Concept Videos

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs02:39

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)...
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Formation of Muscle Fibers from Myoblasts01:13

Formation of Muscle Fibers from Myoblasts

De novo myogenesis, or the formation of muscle fibers, begins during the early embryonic stages. The skeletal muscle is formed from somites– blocks of embryonic cell layers. The somites are further divided into dermatomes, myotomes, sclerotomes, and syndetomes. Among these, the myotomes give rise to muscle fibers.
Muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) are formed from the myotomes. MPCs express genes that encode the transcription factors Pax3 and Pax7. Along with Pax 3/7, other transcription factors...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.