<p>Long Noncoding RNA ST7-AS1 Upregulates TRPM7 Expression by Sponging microRNA-543 to Promote Cervical Cancer Progression</p>
Authors: Hongguo Qi
Lianwei Lu
Lili Wang
Journal: OncoTargets and Therapy (2020)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: ST7 antisense RNA 1; cervical cancer; microRNA-543; transient receptor potential melastatin 7.
Affiliations: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, The Second Children & Women's Healthcare of Jinan City, Jinan, Shandong 250022, People's Republic of China., Department of Radiology, Weifang Binhai Economic and Technological Development Zone People's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong 261108, People's Republic of China., Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, The 5th People's Hospital of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong 250022, People's Republic of China.

Abstract:  Purpose: ST7 antisense RNA 1 (ST7-AS1) is a long noncoding RNA that affects the progression of gastric cancer and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Herein, ST7-AS1 expression was detected in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines. In addition, its biological roles in inducing the aggressive phenotype of cervical cancer and its associated mechanisms of action were illustrated. Patients and methods: ST7-AS1 expression in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Malignancy was determined using Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, flow cytometry, transwell migration and invasion assays, and xenograft experiments. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to predict the interaction between ST7-AS1 and microRNA-543 (miR-543). Luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation assay, Western blotting, qRT-PCR, and rescue experiments were performed to further identify the interactions among ST7-AS1, miR-543, and transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7). Results: ST7-AS1 was upregulated in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines. ST7-AS1 overexpression was correlated with a high International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, frequent lymph node metastasis, deep cervical invasion, and short overall survival in patients with cervical cancer. ST7-AS1 inhibition hindered cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; ST7-AS1 downregulation resulted in marked cell apoptosis. Additionally, ST7-AS1 deficiency restricted cervical tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, ST7-AS1 functioned as competing endogenous RNA to increase TRPM7 expression by sponging miR-543. Intriguingly, rescue experiments revealed that miR-543 downregulation or TRPM7 overexpression abrogated the inhibitory actions of ST7-AS1 knockdown in the aggressive phenotype of cervical cancer cells. Conclusion: The newly identified ST7-AS1/miR-543/TRPM7 axis promoted the oncogenicity of cervical cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Our study highlighted the importance of this novel axis in cervical cancer progression, suggesting that this pathway can serve as a promising therapeutic target for cervical cancer. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Another in a series of  Travelling Ruler posts. These six line-ups of xenograft tumors came from different research teams at different institutions, but somehow they seem to use the same ruler to provide scale. Fig 1J from [Zhang, Long Hu (2020)] . Representative images of the tumor xenografts obtained from groups u201csh-LINC00205u201d and u201csh-NCu201d. ![file] Fig 7B from [Liu et al (2020)] .  Images of tumor xenografts derived from sh-OSER1-AS1 or sh-NC-stably transected H522 cells . ![file] Fig 7B from [Yang et al (2020)] .  After 4 weeks, all the mice were euthanized, and the tumor xenografts were excised and photographed. ![file] Fig 6B of [Xing et al (2020)] .  The tumor xenografts obtained from sh-LINC01224 or sh-NC groups. ![file] **Fig 6B from [Qi, Lu Wang (2020)] **.  Representative photograph of tumor xenografts obtained from the sh-ST7-AS1 and sh-NC groups . ![file] Fig 7C from [Hou, Dong Du (2020)] .  Tumor xenografts representative images collected from groups u2018shLINC00466u02b9 and u2018sh-NCu2019. ![file] Of course there are a lot of metal rulers of any given brand within laboratories, but the pattern of smudges and mottling on these six is similar enough to suggest identity. ![file] , 
 Expression of Concern [15 October 2021] . ---------------------- The Editor and Publisher of *OncoTargets and Therapy* wish to publish an Expression of Concern for the published article. Following publication, concerns were raised about the scientific integrity of the articles content. We reached out to the authors requesting they supply information that would confirm the integrity of the data. However, the authors did not provide the requested files and could not satisfy our requirements to confirm the authenticity of some types of data. In addition, there were unexplained similarities between some of the figures presented in this article, and figures presented in articles by different authors groups. As yet, the authors have not provided a satisfactory explanation for this. Therefore, as we continue to work through the issues raised, we advise readers to interpret the information presented in the article with due caution. The authors have been notified about this Expression of Concern. , 
 In case it helps the editors with their investigation, here are - *[left]* Fig 4E. - *[right]* Fig 4E from  MicroRNA-652 suppresses malignant phenotypes in glioblastoma multiforme via FOXK1-mediated AKT mTOR signaling pathway ([Yang et al 2019] ) **[retracted]**. ![file] ------------------- - *[upper]* Fig 5C. - *[lower]* Fig 6C from  Long Noncoding RNA RGMB-AS1 Acts as a microRNA-574 Sponge Thereby Enhancing the Aggressiveness of Gastric Cancer via HDAC4 Upregulation ([Wang et al 2020] ) **[retracted]**. ![file] , 
 - *[left]* Fig 5D. - *[right]* Fig 4F from  MicroRNA-939-5p directly targets IGF-1R to inhibit the aggressive phenotypes of osteosarcoma through deactivating the PI3K Akt pathway ([Zhao et al 2019] ). ![file] ,