RBM24 exacerbates bladder cancer progression by forming a Runx1t1/TCF4/miR-625-5p feedback loop

Exp Mol Med. 2021 May;53(5):933-946. doi: 10.1038/s12276-021-00623-w. Epub 2021 May 21.

Abstract

RNA-binding motif protein 24 (RBM24) acts as a multifunctional determinant of cell fate, proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation during development by regulating premRNA splicing and mRNA stability. It is also implicated in carcinogenesis, but the functions of RBM24 in bladder cancer (BC) remain unclear. In the present study, we revealed that RBM24 was upregulated in BC tissues. Importantly, we found that a higher level of RBM24 was correlated with poor prognosis in BC patients. Overexpression of RBM24 promoted BC cell proliferation, while depletion of RBM24 inhibited BC cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, RBM24 positively regulated Runx1t1 expression in BC cells by binding to and enhancing Runx1t1 mRNA stability. Furthermore, Runx1t1 in turn promoted RBM24 expression by interacting with the transcription factor TCF4 and suppressing the transcription of miR-625-5p, which directly targets RBM24 and suppresses RBM24 expression. RBM24-regulated BC cell proliferation was moderated via the Runx1t1/TCF4/miR-625-5p feedback loop. These results indicate that the RBM24/Runx1t1/TCF4/miR-625-5p positive feedback loop participates in BC progression. Disruption of this pathway may be a potential therapeutic strategy for BC treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Gene Regulatory Networks*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Biological
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA Stability
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein / genetics*
  • RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein / metabolism
  • Transcription Factor 4 / genetics*
  • Transcription Factor 4 / metabolism
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / mortality
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • MIRN625 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • RBM24 protein, human
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein
  • RUNX1T1 protein, human
  • TCF4 protein, human
  • Transcription Factor 4