Circular RNA profile of breast cancer brain metastasis: identification of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets

Epigenomics. 2018 Dec;10(12):1619-1630. doi: 10.2217/epi-2018-0090.

Abstract

Aim: To explore the circular RNA (circRNA) profile of breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM).

Materials & methods: RNA-seq was performed to identify the circRNA expression profile of brain metastatic breast cancer cell line 231-BR, in comparison with its parental nonspecific metastatic cell line MDA-MB-231.

Results: A total of 215 upregulated and 191 downregulated circRNAs were identified. The expression levels of ten randomly selected majorly altered circRNAs were re-examined by real-time quantitative PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis, and the following alterations were verified: upregulation of hsa_circ_0001944, hsa_circ_0001481, hsa_circ_0000646, hsa_circ_0001006 and hsa_circ_0000732, and downregulation of hsa_circ_0001910, hsa_circ_0008285 and hsa_circ_0000002. CircRNA/miRNA analysis revealed that hsa_circ_0001944 may be involved in BCBM through sponging up miR-509 and interfering with its binding to the downstream targets.

Conclusion: This study provides a leading and fundamental circRNA profile of BCBM.

Keywords: biomarker; breast cancer brain metastasis; circular RNA; expression profile; therapeutic target.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Down-Regulation
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Gene Ontology
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / analysis
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • RNA / analysis
  • RNA / genetics*
  • RNA, Circular
  • Random Allocation
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Circular
  • RNA