CircTHSD4 promotes the malignancy and docetaxel (DTX) resistance in prostate cancer by regulating miR-203/HMGA2 axis

Objective:Circular ribose nudeic acids(circRNAs)are implicated in tumor progression and drug resistance of prostate cancer(PCa).The current work explored the function of circ_0005203(aircTHSD4)in the malignancy and docetaxel(DTX)resistance of PCa.Methods:circTHSD4 expression within PCa as well as matched non-carcinoma samples was measured through real time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).In addition,a subcellular fraction assay was conducted to determine circTHSD4 subcellular localization within PCa cells.In addition,we performed a Western blot(WB)assay to detect high mobility.group A2 protein(HMGA2)levels.Besides,functional associations of two molecules were investigated through dual luciferase reporter assay.Cell Counting Kit(CCK)-8,colony formation together with Transwell assay was conducted to assess malignant phenotypes of PCa cells,whereas flow cytometry was performed to determine cell apoptosis.Furthermore,a xenograft mouse model was constructed to verify the effect of circTHSD4 on the carcinogenesis of PCa cells.Results:According to RT-qPCR results,circTHSD4 was up-regulated within PCa tissues and cells,which predicted the dismal prognostic outcome of PCa cases.circTHSD4 silencing within PCa cells markedly suppressed cell growth,migration,and colony fomation.circTHSD4 silencing remarkably elevated PCa cell apoptosis and carcinogenesis within the xenograft model.Further,circTHSD4 silencing enhanced docetaxel(DTX)sensitivity in PCa cells.Furthermore,we demonstrated that circTHSD4 modulated the malignancy of PCa cells by regulating HMGA2 expression through sponging miR 203.Conclusion:Together,our findings suggest that cirCTHSD4 overexpression could promote the malignant phenotype and DTX resistance in PCa through the regulation of the miR 203/HMGA2 axis.

Genome assembly and transcriptome analysis provide insights into the antischistosome mechanism of Microtus fortis

Microtus fortis is the only mammalian host that exhibits intrinsic resistance against Schistosoma japonicum infection.However,the underlying molecular mechanisms of this resistance are not yet known.Here,we perform the first de novo genome assembly of M.fortis,comprehensive gene annotation analysis,and evolution analysis.Furthermore,we compare the recovery rate of schistosomes,pathological changes,and liver transcriptomes between M.fortis and mice at different time points after infection.We observe that the time and type of immune response in M.fortis are different from those in mice.M.fortis activates immune and inflammatory responses on the 10th day post infection,such as leukocyte extravasation,antibody activation,Fc-gamma receptor-mediated phagocytosis,and the interferon signaling cascade,which play important roles in preventing the development of schistosomes.In contrast,an intense immune response occurrs in mice at the late stages of infection and could not eliminate schistosomes.Infected mice suffer severe pathological injury and continuous decreases in cell cycle,lipid metabolism,and other functions.Our findings offer new insights into the intrinsic resistance mechanism of M.fortis against schistosome infection.The genome sequence also provides the basis for future studies of other important traits in M.fortis.