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Background/Aims: The HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR), a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of multiple tumors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in HOTAIR are related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) susceptibility in a Chinese population. Methods: We genotyped three SNPs of HOTAIR in a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) case-control study, including 482 cases and 520 control subjects. SNPs were genotyped using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Associations between gene polymorphisms and HCC were evaluated using multiple logistic regression analysis. The allelespecific effects on HOTAIR expression in HCC were confirmed by real time quantitative PCR and luciferase activity assays. The influence of HOTAIR SNPs on the proliferation of HCC cells was evaluated using a CCK-8 assay. Results: Significant associations were observed between the HOTAIR rs920778 C>T polymorphism and HCC risk (TT versus CC: OR = 1.634, 95% CI =1.028- 2.598, P = 0.046) and the allelic model (allele T versus allele C: OR =1.293, 95% CI = 1.060- 1.577, P = 0.011). However, no statistically significant differences of rs4759314 and rs1899663 genotypes were observed between patients and controls (both P > 0.05). The increased risk for rs920778 TT genotype carriers was more evident in a sub-group of drinkers (OR = 3.103, 95% CI = 1.151-8.368, p=0.025) and in people positive for HBV infection (OR = 2.885, 95% CI = 1.086-7.663, p=0.034). RT-PCR and luciferase activity assay confirmed that the rs920778 TT genotype induced significantly higher HOTAIR levels than did the CC genotype (P < 0.05). CCK-8 assays and colony formation assays demonstrated that the rs920778 TT genotype had a higher proliferation rate of HCC cells than did the CC genotype (P < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that SNP rs920778 of HOTAIR acts as a potential biomarker for predicting hepatocellular carcinoma, and further studies are warranted to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: A growing body of evidence indicates that the abnormal expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in sensitizing the cellular response to ionizing radiation (IR). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the expression of miR-124 correlated with radiosensitivity in the context of non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to quantify miR-124 expression in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. The role of miR-124 in NSCLC proliferation and radiosensitivity was analyzed using CCK-8 and flow cytometry apoptosis assays. Luciferase activity assays, RT-PCR, and Western blot assays were performed to confirm the target gene of miR-124. Results: In this study, we found that miR-124 was downregulated both in clinical NSCLC samples and in cell lines. miR-124 inhibited the proliferation of NSCLC cells and enhanced the apoptosis of NSCLC cells exposed to ionizing radiation. We identified signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) as a direct target of miR-124 by using target prediction algorithms and luciferase assays. Overexpression of STAT3 in A549 cell lines restored the enhanced radiosensitivity induced by miR-124. Conclusion: Taking these observations into consideration, we illustrated that miR-124 is a potential target for enhancing the radiosensitivity of NSCLC cells by targeting STAT3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Single nucleotide polymorphisms in miRNA binding sites, which are located in mRNA 3' untranslated regions (3'-UTRs), were recently found to influence microRNA-target interactions. Specifically, such polymorphisms can modulatebinding affinity or create or destroy miRNA-binding sites;such variants have also been found to be associated with cancer risk. In this study, we explored the effect of a functional variant at the miR-214 binding site in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (rs114673809) on gastric cancer (GC) risk in a hospital-based case-control study in a Chinese Han population. Methods and Results: We genotyped the rs114673809 polymorphism in 345 gastric cancer patients and 376 cancer-free controls using the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCRRFLP) technique. The functions of rs114673809 were investigated using a luciferase activity assay and validated by immunoblotting. We found that participants carrying the rs114673809 AA genotype or A allele had a significantly increased risk of gastric cancer (OR = 1.667, 95% CI = 1.044–2.660, P = 0.034; OR = 1.261, 95% CI = 1.017–1.563, P = 0.037, respectively) compared to those carrying the GG genotype and G allele. In addition, rs114673809 modified the binding of hsa-miR-214 to MTHFR as well as MTHFR protein levels in gastric cancer patients. Conclusion: Our data suggested that rs114673809, which is located at the miR- 214 binding site in the 3'-UTR of MTHFR, may play an important role in the development of gastric cancer in a Chinese Han population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]