Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a recently discovered subclass of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) characterized by a covalently closed loop structure created by reverse splicing. Because they do not have a 5' cap structure and a 3' poly A tail, circRNAs have higher stability, abundance and evolutionary conservation than linear RNA between species. These features produce various potential biological functions of circRNAs, such as miRNA sponges, RNA-binding proteins that form RNA protein complexes. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that circRNAs play a vital role in the occurrence and development of human diseases. At the same time, their enormous potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target is also evolving. The purpose of this review is to summarize existing cancer-associated circRNAs and to try to find circRNAs that are abnormally expressed in many cancers. Therefore, we reviewed previous circRNAs studies related to cancer and selected them by statistics. The eight circRNAs that have the highest frequency in different cancers or involve key pathways are called star circRNAs. Here, we review the classification, features, and functions of emerging star circRNAs, with particular attention to the role of circRNAs in various cancers.
Background: Versican (VCAN), a significant protein of extracellular matrix (ECM), is capable of accumulating in tumor stroma and critically impacts malignant transforming process and tumor progressing process. Promoted VCAN expression was identified in numerous malignant tumors and showed relationships to cancer relapse and ineffective breast, prostate, and many other cancer types of patients. Nevertheless, the molecular capability and prognosis importance exhibited by VCAN are infrequently presented in gastric cancer (GC). Methods: According to 5 GC tissues and corresponding general tissues, mRNA expression profiles were taken here. VCAN expression in tissues was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase reaction (qRT-PCR). The effect generated by VCAN expression on cell proliferating, invading and migrating processes was assessed in vitro with knockdown and overexpression strategies. Moreover, the relationships between immune response and VCAN expression in GC were assessed with the use of the software online. Results: There are 181 genes up-regulated and 530 genes down-regulated in GC. According to pathway study, the mentioned differently expressed mRNAs showed correlations with a number of vital physiological processes, cellular components, molecular functions and critical cancer signal pathways. VCAN was reported to be noticeably promoted in GC tissues and related to individual cancer age, race, and stages. VCAN was up-regulated in 16 GC tissues compared to adjacent non-tumorous tissue specimens via qRT-PCR. GC patients exhibiting higher VCAN expression had less post-progression survival (PPS), first progression (FP) and overall survival (OS). Experimental processes in vitro revealed VCAN knockdown hindered, proliferated, invaded, and migrated levels of GC cells, whereas overexpression of VCAN played the opposite effect. Immune factors may interact with VCAN mRNA in GC, and VCAN was found noticeably linked with regulatory T cells (Tregs). Conclusion: According to the mentioned results, VCAN critically impacts GC progression. Accordingly, VCAN is likely to be a potentially feasible prognosis marking element and a prominent cancer drug for GC patients. Keywords: VCAN, gastric cancer, prognosis, invasion, immune Corrigendum for this paper has been published
Abstract Background: Blastocystis sp. is a unicellular protozoan and one of the most common gastrointestinal eukaryotic parasites in humans and animals. It is distributed worldwide, but its pathogenic role is still controversial. Blastocystis sp. is subdivided into 33 subtypes, and existing different subtypes imply host specificity in various species. The study aimed to investigate in detail the host range of Blastocystis sp., given the limited studies. Methods: Many fresh fecal samples were randomly collected from zoo animals and tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Sequence alignment and phylogenic analysis were performed to confirm the subtypes of Blastocystis sp.. In the end, determine the relationship between the parasite subtypes and the host by contrasting and analyzing. Results and Conclusion: A total of 720 fecal samples from 132 animal species, 140 (19.44%) were PCR positive for Blastocystis sp., with 43.67% (31/71), 5.89% (7/119), 34.87% (53/152), 2.56% (1/39), 16.67% (2/12), 22.22% (4/18), 37.50% (3/8) and 12.96% (39/301) in Non-human primates (NHP), Carnivora, Artiodactyla, Perissodactyla, Proboscidea, Diprotodontia, Rodentia and aves, respectively. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis showed ten known subtypes (ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST7, ST8, ST10, ST14, and ST23) of Blastocystis sp. in the present study, with ST10 as the predominant subtype in all animals. However, there were differences in dominant subtypes among the eight groups of animals, and ST2 of NHP, ST3 of Carnivora, ST10 of Artiodactyla, ST23 of Proboscidea, ST1 of Diprotodontia, ST1 and ST4 of Rodentia and ST5 of aves, respectively. This is the first report of Blastocystis sp. infection in 48 species to the best of our knowledge. These results not only enriched the host range of Blastocystis sp. and filled the data of vacant animals but also provided a reference for preventing and controlling Blastocystis sp. infection between animals and humans.
OncoTargets and Therapy is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal focusing on the pathological basis of all cancers, potential targets for therapy and treatment protocols employed to improve the management of cancer patients.The journal also focuses on the impact of management programs and new therapeutic agents and protocols on patient perspectives such as quality of life, adherence and satisfaction.The manuscript management system is completely online and includes a very quick and fair peer-review system, which is all easy to use.Visit http://www.dovepress.com/testimonials.