# RNF12 Promotes Glioblastoma Malignant Proliferation via Destructing RB1 and Regulating MAPK Pathway

Authors: Eryi Sun; Ping Zhang
Journal: Journal of Healthcare Engineering
 (2021)

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## Abstract

Background. RNF12 has been linked to a variety of biological activities, including the control of the MDM2/P53 pathway, although its additional functions remain unclear. RNF12 was discovered to be a new ubiquitin ligase (E3) for RB1, amongst the most frequently repressed proteins in cancer of human. Method. Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to detect the cell proliferation; coimmunoprecipitation was used to determine that RNF12 interacts with RB1. Xenograft studies were used to verify the results. Result. In vivo and in vitro RNF12 interacts with RB1 regardless of E3 ligase activity. The ubiquitination of RB1 by RNF12 had an effect on its stability. RNF12 inhibits the RB1 protein and stimulates the MAPK pathway, promoting the growth of GBMs. Conclusion. Our findings show that RNF12 may operate as a tumour promoter by modulating the cancerous proliferation of glioblastoma by controlling the activity of a new RNF12/RB1/MAPK pathway regulatory axis and that this regulatory axis might be a valuable diagnostic focus in glioblastoma.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Central nervous system tumours are all extremely proliferative and display a wide range of biological and clinical characteristics [1, 2]. With a 14-month average overall life expectancy, glioblastoma is most aggressive and recurring brain malignancy. Gliomas account for 29% of all brain tumours, among which the least malignant are pilocytic astrocytomas (WHO grade I) with 5–10 years survival [1]. Traditional therapies, such as excision, radiation, and chemotherapy, are unsuccessful due to the tumour’s infiltrative and tenacious nature [3, 4].The proteasome system for ubiquitin (UPS): it is recognized to be a key regulator of proliferation, invasion, differentiation, and cell death because it controls protein ubiquitination and stability [5, 6]. During aging, a substantial proportion of proteasomes appear to be associated with protein deposition sites and become available for UPS-mediated degradation when the cellular protein folding capacity is increased [2].The Rnf12 gene [7, 8] is responsible for its production. So far, only a few RNF12 substrates were identified and investigated in human tumour cells/mock-up organisms [9]. This significance of RNF12 on glioblastoma and its clinical significance, however, remain unclear. 293T, H1299, U2OS, and MCF7 cells were tested. RNF12 serves as a negative regulator of MDM2. TRF1 is degraded by RNF12, which affects telomere length homeostasis [10, 11]. The RB signalling network is made up of 3 pocket proteins (RBL1, RBL2 and RB1) that together firmly legalize cell cycle (G1/S) evolution and whose genetic polymorphism might very well underpin cell type specific redundancy or operational recompense in tumour suppression of concurrent suppression with RBL1 (p107) needed to enable tumour formation [12]. RNF12 may have essential roles in signalling transduction and development, according to these researches. We discovered RB1 as an RNF12 substrate in our work, which adds to our knowledge of RNF12’s tumour-related role in glioblastoma.


## 2. Materials and Methods

### 2.1. RNF12 Expression in Glioblastoma

The GEPIA website was used to find survival statistics and expression of RNF12 in glioblastoma in order to find the most important gene. The prognostic performance was evaluated using multivariate analysis.


### 2.2. Patient Samples

Zhenjiang First People’s Hospital provided 10 normal brain tissue immunohistochemistry sections and 24 glioblastoma tissue immunohistochemical sections. All samples were taken in accordance with methods approved by the Zhenjiang First People’s Hospital Ethics Committee, and all patients gave their informed permission. The clinicopathological category and staging were determined using WHO standards for brain cancer criterion.


### 2.3. IHC Immunohistochemistry

Histological segments then deparaffinized and submerged in a pH 9.0 Tris-EDTA buffer and microwaved before being treated with antibodies against RNF12, RB1, and Ki67 for 12 hours at 4°C. The slides were cleaned and stained by secondary antibody, and the next day, DAB was revealed, followed by hematoxylin counterstaining, drying, and mounting. Two observers independently examined and rated the parts. The IHC value was created using the formula IHC score = percent of stained tumour (percent) intensity (1: weak, 2: moderate, 3: strong), which took into account both the proportion of positively stained tumour (percent) and the magnitude of staining (weak: 1, moderate: 2, strong: 3) (1, 2, or 3). Low and high were determined by a cutoff point of 150 (low: score <160; high: score ≥160).


### 2.4. Cell Culture and SiRNAs

American Type Culture Collection provided human glioblastoma (LN229, U251, and U343) cell lines as well as a normal line (HEB) (ATCC). In Dulbecco’s modified Eagles medium (DMEM) (Thermo Fisher Scientific) supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum, these cells were cultured at 37°C in a humidified incubator with 5% CO2 (FBS, Thermo Fisher Scientific). One day before transfection, the cells were planted. When the cells reached around 80–90 percent confluency, Lipofectamine2000 reagent (Thermo Fisher Scientific) was utilised for both siRNA transfections. Si-1 RNF12 “5-GGCTTATGAGAGATAACAA-3”; Si-2 RNF12 “5-CTGCATCGATCGCTGGTTA-3.”


### 2.5. Cell Proliferation and Clone Assay

The cells were plated in 6 duplicates on a 96-well plate at a density of 1500–3000 cells per well. As recommended, the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was utilised to detect cell proliferation. The amount of formazan produced, which had been precisely related to the number of living cells, was measured using a microplate reader. For three or four days, measurements were collected every 24 hours. The glioblastoma cells were plated in 6 cells plated of 3000 cells for the clone test.


### 2.6. Coimmunoprecipitation and Immunoblotting

The cells were lysed with 1 x cell lysis buffer (cell signalling technology) and then rotated at 4°C for 30 min. To eliminate cell debris, centrifuge was performed, and the soluble fraction was retrieved and precleared for 2 h at 4°C utilizing protein A/G agarose beads. The precleared cell lysate was incubated with protein A/G beads for at least two hours at 4°C after being treated overnight with indicated antibodies. After that, the immunoprecipitates were rinsed six times in cell lysis buffer before being boiled in 1SDS loading buffer. SDS-PAGE was used to separate the samples, which were then transferred to PVDF membranes and immunoblotted with the antibodies indicated.


### 2.7. Xenograft Studies

Vital River Laboratories provided BALB/c mice that were 6 weeks old. Subcutaneous injections of 5106 Si-1 or Si-NC LN229 were given to mice. Tumour volume measurements began two weeks after injection and were repeated every five days. The mice were killed after one month to determine the volume of tumour, which was estimated using the formula:(1)12×Bigger Diameter×SmallerDiameter2.Tumours were paraffin-embedded at the conclusion of each trial. IHC staining was performed on sections of 5.0 m in length. The Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences’ Institutional Animal Welfare Guidelines authorised all animal care and research.


### 2.8. Statistical Analysis

Research was conducted at least three times, with typical findings displayed. For statistical analysis, a two-tailed unpairedt-test or a one-way ANOVA was utilised. p<0.05 was chosen as the level of statistical significance.


## 2.1. RNF12 Expression in Glioblastoma

The GEPIA website was used to find survival statistics and expression of RNF12 in glioblastoma in order to find the most important gene. The prognostic performance was evaluated using multivariate analysis.


## 2.2. Patient Samples

Zhenjiang First People’s Hospital provided 10 normal brain tissue immunohistochemistry sections and 24 glioblastoma tissue immunohistochemical sections. All samples were taken in accordance with methods approved by the Zhenjiang First People’s Hospital Ethics Committee, and all patients gave their informed permission. The clinicopathological category and staging were determined using WHO standards for brain cancer criterion.


## 2.3. IHC Immunohistochemistry

Histological segments then deparaffinized and submerged in a pH 9.0 Tris-EDTA buffer and microwaved before being treated with antibodies against RNF12, RB1, and Ki67 for 12 hours at 4°C. The slides were cleaned and stained by secondary antibody, and the next day, DAB was revealed, followed by hematoxylin counterstaining, drying, and mounting. Two observers independently examined and rated the parts. The IHC value was created using the formula IHC score = percent of stained tumour (percent) intensity (1: weak, 2: moderate, 3: strong), which took into account both the proportion of positively stained tumour (percent) and the magnitude of staining (weak: 1, moderate: 2, strong: 3) (1, 2, or 3). Low and high were determined by a cutoff point of 150 (low: score <160; high: score ≥160).


## 2.4. Cell Culture and SiRNAs

American Type Culture Collection provided human glioblastoma (LN229, U251, and U343) cell lines as well as a normal line (HEB) (ATCC). In Dulbecco’s modified Eagles medium (DMEM) (Thermo Fisher Scientific) supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum, these cells were cultured at 37°C in a humidified incubator with 5% CO2 (FBS, Thermo Fisher Scientific). One day before transfection, the cells were planted. When the cells reached around 80–90 percent confluency, Lipofectamine2000 reagent (Thermo Fisher Scientific) was utilised for both siRNA transfections. Si-1 RNF12 “5-GGCTTATGAGAGATAACAA-3”; Si-2 RNF12 “5-CTGCATCGATCGCTGGTTA-3.”


## 2.5. Cell Proliferation and Clone Assay

The cells were plated in 6 duplicates on a 96-well plate at a density of 1500–3000 cells per well. As recommended, the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was utilised to detect cell proliferation. The amount of formazan produced, which had been precisely related to the number of living cells, was measured using a microplate reader. For three or four days, measurements were collected every 24 hours. The glioblastoma cells were plated in 6 cells plated of 3000 cells for the clone test.


## 2.6. Coimmunoprecipitation and Immunoblotting

The cells were lysed with 1 x cell lysis buffer (cell signalling technology) and then rotated at 4°C for 30 min. To eliminate cell debris, centrifuge was performed, and the soluble fraction was retrieved and precleared for 2 h at 4°C utilizing protein A/G agarose beads. The precleared cell lysate was incubated with protein A/G beads for at least two hours at 4°C after being treated overnight with indicated antibodies. After that, the immunoprecipitates were rinsed six times in cell lysis buffer before being boiled in 1SDS loading buffer. SDS-PAGE was used to separate the samples, which were then transferred to PVDF membranes and immunoblotted with the antibodies indicated.


## 2.7. Xenograft Studies

Vital River Laboratories provided BALB/c mice that were 6 weeks old. Subcutaneous injections of 5106 Si-1 or Si-NC LN229 were given to mice. Tumour volume measurements began two weeks after injection and were repeated every five days. The mice were killed after one month to determine the volume of tumour, which was estimated using the formula:(1)12×Bigger Diameter×SmallerDiameter2.Tumours were paraffin-embedded at the conclusion of each trial. IHC staining was performed on sections of 5.0 m in length. The Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences’ Institutional Animal Welfare Guidelines authorised all animal care and research.


## 2.8. Statistical Analysis

Research was conducted at least three times, with typical findings displayed. For statistical analysis, a two-tailed unpairedt-test or a one-way ANOVA was utilised. p<0.05 was chosen as the level of statistical significance.


## 3. Results

### 3.1. RNF12 as a Risk Factor in Glioblastoma

In cancer, ubiquitination regulates a variety of activities such as development, migration, and proliferation. The goal of this study was to look for ubiquitylation enzymes that were overexpressed in glioblastoma. RNF12 expression was shown to be greater in glioblastoma than in normal tissues, according to the GEPIA online database (Figure1(a)). The findings revealed that patients with higher RNF12 expression in gliomas have a shorter OS (overall survival) and DFS (disease free survival) time than lower expression (Figures 1(b) and 1(c)). We examined RNF12 protein expression in 10 normal and 24 glioblastoma tissues using an immunohistochemistry (IHC) test to determine RNF12 protein expression in glioblastoma. In glioblastoma tissues, RNF12 expression was overexpressed (median IHC score: 220) (Figure 1(d)). RNF12 may have an oncogenic function in glioblastoma, according to these findings.Figure 1
The role of RNF12 in glioblastoma. (a) The GEPIA online database is used to examine RNF12 expression. (b, c) GEPIA monitors patients with elevated RNF12 expression for OS (overall survival) and DFS (disease free survival). (d) An immunohistochemistry (IHC) test was used to examine RNF12 expression in glioblastoma tissues. The results are shown as the mean SD of three consecutive trials, with noteworthy difference from the control indicated byp∗<0.05,∗∗p<0.01,∗∗∗p<0.001.
(a)(b)(c)(d)


### 3.2. RNF12 Promotes Cell Malignant Proliferation In Vitro

Then, using western blot, we discovered that RNF12 expression was greater in glioblastoma cells than in normal cells (Figure2(a)). In addition, we chose the LN229 and U343 cell lines for sustained expression. SiRNA cells efficiently knocked down the protein level of RNF12 (Figure 2(b)), resulting in a substantial drop in clone and proliferation in both Si-1 and Si-2 at LN229 and U343 cells as compared to Si-NC cells (Figures 2(c) and 2(d)). In comparison to the control, RNF12 knockdown substantially reduced cell growth and clone, as seen in Figures 2(c) and 2(d).Figure 2
RNF12 promotes cell malignant proliferation in vitro. (a) RNF12 protein expression was examined using a western blot. (b) RNF12-targeted siRNAs were transfected into LN229 and U343 cells. (c) Scramble siRNA or RNF12 siRNAs were transfected into LN229 and U343 cells. Cells were plated in 6-well plates two days after transfection. The cell clone was kept track of. (d) Scramble siRNA or RNF12 siRNAs were transfected into LN229 and U343 cells. Two days following transfection, cells were planted in 96-well plates. Cell growth was monitored using the Cell Counting Kit-8. Three different tests gave similar results, and one example result is shown. The information is presented in the form of a mean standard deviation.∗p0.05,∗∗p0.01,∗∗∗p0.001, are all statistically significant.
(a)(b)(c)(d)


### 3.3. RNF12 Interacts with RB1 in Glioblastoma Cells

The mass spectrometry experiment was utilised to investigate RNF12’s interaction partners (Figure3(a)). As demonstrated in Figure 3(b), one of the probable interacting proteins was RB1, which played a key role in tumour resistance. This merited additional investigation. To study the interaction between RNF12 and RB1, we used co-IP-IB experiments using RNF12 and RB1 antibodies to extract total protein from cells. Only cells with coexpression of both RNF12 and RB1 were specifically coimmunoprecipitated by RNF12 and RB1 antibodies (Figure 3(b)). Endogenous RNF12 linked to endogenous RB1 in accordance with our findings (Figure 3(b)). These findings show that RNF12 is linked to RB1. To understand more about RNF12 and RB1, we looked at whether they are colocalized to the same subcellular compartments in vivo. Two proteins colocalized in the cytoplasm when RNF12 and RB1 were coexpressed in LN229 cells, as shown in Figure 3(c). We also utilised the GEPIA online website analysis to look at the connection between RNF12 and RB1 expression. A negative connection between the two proteins was discovered (Figure 3(d)).Figure 3
RNF12 interacts with RB1. (a) RNF12 interaction partners along with control IgG antibody and anti-RNF12 were studied using mass spectrometry. (b) Immunoprecipitation of glioblastoma cell lysate with control IgG antibody and anti-RNF12 or anti-RB1 antibodies. Anti-RB1 and anti-RNF12 antibodies were used to WB immunoprecipitates. (c) Immunofluorescence examination of glioblastoma cells using anti-RNF12 or anti-RB1 antibodies. (d) GEPIA analyses the RNF12 and RB1 gene expression. Three separate tests yielded comparable findings, and 1 sample effect was displayed. The statistics are provided as mean standard deviation.∗∗p0.01,∗∗∗p0.001,∗∗p0.05,∗∗p0.01,∗∗∗p0.001.
(a)(b)(c)(d)


### 3.4. RNF12 Targets RB1 for Ubiquitination and Regulates MAPK Pathway

We reasoned that RNF12 might regulate the RB1 protein’s turnover. We did this by transfecting LN229 cell with expression of RNF12 Si-1 and Si-NC, used cycloheximide (CHX) to inhibit new protein synthesis, and collected cells at various time points for WB. RNF12 knockdown caused significant alterations in RB1 turnover rate (Figures4(a) and 4(b)), showing that RNF12 may control RB1 at the protein level. Furthermore, when cells were administered MG132, a proteasome inhibitor (Figure 4(c)), this degradation effect was entirely prevented, showing that RNF12 downregulates RB1 protein via the proteasomal degradation route. Then, using gene card’s signal pathway analysis, we discovered that RNF12’s function is focused on the MAPK pathway (Figure 4(d)). We looked at the protein levels of many MAPK pathway components using western blot analysis, including ERK, p-ERK, RAS, and MAPK, to see how RNF12 affects the phenotype of glioblastoma. In both cell lines, Si-RNF12 knockdown reduced the expression of p-ERK, RAS, and MAPK, whereas RB1 protein expression increased (Figure 4(e)). As a result, we hypothesised that a downregulation of proliferation may be linked to the MAPK pathway. RNF12 is a downstream and functional target of the RB1 and MAPK pathways, according to these findings.Figure 4
RNF12 mediates RB1 degradation and regulates MAPK pathway. (a, b) Scramble siRNA or RNF12 siRNAs were transfected into glioblastoma cells. After 2 days, the transfection is complete. After cycloheximide treatment, cells were collected at various time intervals and submitted to WB. (c) Scramble siRNA or RNF12 siRNAs were transfected into glioblastoma cells. After 2 days, the transfection is complete. Cells were collected and submitted to WB after being treated with MG132 or DMSO. (d) Gene card’s RNF12 function analysis via signal route. (e) Scramble siRNA or RNF12 siRNAs were used to infect LN229 and U343 cells. Two days after transfection, the levels of endogenous MAPK pathway proteins were measured by western blotting. Three separate tests yielded comparable findings, and 1 sample result was displayed. The data are provided as mean standard deviation.∗∗p0.01,∗∗∗p0.001,∗∗p0.05,∗∗p0.01,∗∗∗p0.001.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)


### 3.5. RNF12 Function In Vivo

RNF12 ubiquitinates RB1 and increases the malignant growth of glioblastoma cells through modulating the MAPK pathway. RNF12 knockdown and control cells were injected intratumorally in the subcutaneous transplanted tumour model. RNF12 knockdown suppressed glioblastoma cell growth in vivo, according to tumour volume curve analyses (Figures5(a) and 5(b)). Further IHC data revealed decreased Ki67 expression, indicating that RNF12 knockdown inhibited growth, and RB1 expression was greater than RNF12 Si-NC cells (Figure 5(c)). We discovered a unique role for RNF12 in RB1/MAPK axis control in this work, which is described in the model presented in Figure 5(d).Figure 5
RNF12 function in vivo. (a, b) Glioblastoma cells infected with RNF12-targeting shRNA or control shRNA. Representative pictures of subcutaneously implanted tumours (a) and tumour volume quantification (b). (c) Ki67, RNF12, and RB1 expression in xenografted tumour sections as shown by IHC. (d) A model showing how RNF12 controls the MAPK pathway and facilitates RB1 degradation. Three separate tests yielded comparable findings, and 1 sample result was displayed. The data are provided as mean standard deviation.∗∗p0.01,∗∗∗p0.001,∗∗p0.05,∗∗p0.01,∗∗∗p0.001.
(a)(b)(c)(d)


## 3.1. RNF12 as a Risk Factor in Glioblastoma

In cancer, ubiquitination regulates a variety of activities such as development, migration, and proliferation. The goal of this study was to look for ubiquitylation enzymes that were overexpressed in glioblastoma. RNF12 expression was shown to be greater in glioblastoma than in normal tissues, according to the GEPIA online database (Figure1(a)). The findings revealed that patients with higher RNF12 expression in gliomas have a shorter OS (overall survival) and DFS (disease free survival) time than lower expression (Figures 1(b) and 1(c)). We examined RNF12 protein expression in 10 normal and 24 glioblastoma tissues using an immunohistochemistry (IHC) test to determine RNF12 protein expression in glioblastoma. In glioblastoma tissues, RNF12 expression was overexpressed (median IHC score: 220) (Figure 1(d)). RNF12 may have an oncogenic function in glioblastoma, according to these findings.Figure 1
The role of RNF12 in glioblastoma. (a) The GEPIA online database is used to examine RNF12 expression. (b, c) GEPIA monitors patients with elevated RNF12 expression for OS (overall survival) and DFS (disease free survival). (d) An immunohistochemistry (IHC) test was used to examine RNF12 expression in glioblastoma tissues. The results are shown as the mean SD of three consecutive trials, with noteworthy difference from the control indicated byp∗<0.05,∗∗p<0.01,∗∗∗p<0.001.
(a)(b)(c)(d)


## 3.2. RNF12 Promotes Cell Malignant Proliferation In Vitro

Then, using western blot, we discovered that RNF12 expression was greater in glioblastoma cells than in normal cells (Figure2(a)). In addition, we chose the LN229 and U343 cell lines for sustained expression. SiRNA cells efficiently knocked down the protein level of RNF12 (Figure 2(b)), resulting in a substantial drop in clone and proliferation in both Si-1 and Si-2 at LN229 and U343 cells as compared to Si-NC cells (Figures 2(c) and 2(d)). In comparison to the control, RNF12 knockdown substantially reduced cell growth and clone, as seen in Figures 2(c) and 2(d).Figure 2
RNF12 promotes cell malignant proliferation in vitro. (a) RNF12 protein expression was examined using a western blot. (b) RNF12-targeted siRNAs were transfected into LN229 and U343 cells. (c) Scramble siRNA or RNF12 siRNAs were transfected into LN229 and U343 cells. Cells were plated in 6-well plates two days after transfection. The cell clone was kept track of. (d) Scramble siRNA or RNF12 siRNAs were transfected into LN229 and U343 cells. Two days following transfection, cells were planted in 96-well plates. Cell growth was monitored using the Cell Counting Kit-8. Three different tests gave similar results, and one example result is shown. The information is presented in the form of a mean standard deviation.∗p0.05,∗∗p0.01,∗∗∗p0.001, are all statistically significant.
(a)(b)(c)(d)


## 3.3. RNF12 Interacts with RB1 in Glioblastoma Cells

The mass spectrometry experiment was utilised to investigate RNF12’s interaction partners (Figure3(a)). As demonstrated in Figure 3(b), one of the probable interacting proteins was RB1, which played a key role in tumour resistance. This merited additional investigation. To study the interaction between RNF12 and RB1, we used co-IP-IB experiments using RNF12 and RB1 antibodies to extract total protein from cells. Only cells with coexpression of both RNF12 and RB1 were specifically coimmunoprecipitated by RNF12 and RB1 antibodies (Figure 3(b)). Endogenous RNF12 linked to endogenous RB1 in accordance with our findings (Figure 3(b)). These findings show that RNF12 is linked to RB1. To understand more about RNF12 and RB1, we looked at whether they are colocalized to the same subcellular compartments in vivo. Two proteins colocalized in the cytoplasm when RNF12 and RB1 were coexpressed in LN229 cells, as shown in Figure 3(c). We also utilised the GEPIA online website analysis to look at the connection between RNF12 and RB1 expression. A negative connection between the two proteins was discovered (Figure 3(d)).Figure 3
RNF12 interacts with RB1. (a) RNF12 interaction partners along with control IgG antibody and anti-RNF12 were studied using mass spectrometry. (b) Immunoprecipitation of glioblastoma cell lysate with control IgG antibody and anti-RNF12 or anti-RB1 antibodies. Anti-RB1 and anti-RNF12 antibodies were used to WB immunoprecipitates. (c) Immunofluorescence examination of glioblastoma cells using anti-RNF12 or anti-RB1 antibodies. (d) GEPIA analyses the RNF12 and RB1 gene expression. Three separate tests yielded comparable findings, and 1 sample effect was displayed. The statistics are provided as mean standard deviation.∗∗p0.01,∗∗∗p0.001,∗∗p0.05,∗∗p0.01,∗∗∗p0.001.
(a)(b)(c)(d)


## 3.4. RNF12 Targets RB1 for Ubiquitination and Regulates MAPK Pathway

We reasoned that RNF12 might regulate the RB1 protein’s turnover. We did this by transfecting LN229 cell with expression of RNF12 Si-1 and Si-NC, used cycloheximide (CHX) to inhibit new protein synthesis, and collected cells at various time points for WB. RNF12 knockdown caused significant alterations in RB1 turnover rate (Figures4(a) and 4(b)), showing that RNF12 may control RB1 at the protein level. Furthermore, when cells were administered MG132, a proteasome inhibitor (Figure 4(c)), this degradation effect was entirely prevented, showing that RNF12 downregulates RB1 protein via the proteasomal degradation route. Then, using gene card’s signal pathway analysis, we discovered that RNF12’s function is focused on the MAPK pathway (Figure 4(d)). We looked at the protein levels of many MAPK pathway components using western blot analysis, including ERK, p-ERK, RAS, and MAPK, to see how RNF12 affects the phenotype of glioblastoma. In both cell lines, Si-RNF12 knockdown reduced the expression of p-ERK, RAS, and MAPK, whereas RB1 protein expression increased (Figure 4(e)). As a result, we hypothesised that a downregulation of proliferation may be linked to the MAPK pathway. RNF12 is a downstream and functional target of the RB1 and MAPK pathways, according to these findings.Figure 4
RNF12 mediates RB1 degradation and regulates MAPK pathway. (a, b) Scramble siRNA or RNF12 siRNAs were transfected into glioblastoma cells. After 2 days, the transfection is complete. After cycloheximide treatment, cells were collected at various time intervals and submitted to WB. (c) Scramble siRNA or RNF12 siRNAs were transfected into glioblastoma cells. After 2 days, the transfection is complete. Cells were collected and submitted to WB after being treated with MG132 or DMSO. (d) Gene card’s RNF12 function analysis via signal route. (e) Scramble siRNA or RNF12 siRNAs were used to infect LN229 and U343 cells. Two days after transfection, the levels of endogenous MAPK pathway proteins were measured by western blotting. Three separate tests yielded comparable findings, and 1 sample result was displayed. The data are provided as mean standard deviation.∗∗p0.01,∗∗∗p0.001,∗∗p0.05,∗∗p0.01,∗∗∗p0.001.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)


## 3.5. RNF12 Function In Vivo

RNF12 ubiquitinates RB1 and increases the malignant growth of glioblastoma cells through modulating the MAPK pathway. RNF12 knockdown and control cells were injected intratumorally in the subcutaneous transplanted tumour model. RNF12 knockdown suppressed glioblastoma cell growth in vivo, according to tumour volume curve analyses (Figures5(a) and 5(b)). Further IHC data revealed decreased Ki67 expression, indicating that RNF12 knockdown inhibited growth, and RB1 expression was greater than RNF12 Si-NC cells (Figure 5(c)). We discovered a unique role for RNF12 in RB1/MAPK axis control in this work, which is described in the model presented in Figure 5(d).Figure 5
RNF12 function in vivo. (a, b) Glioblastoma cells infected with RNF12-targeting shRNA or control shRNA. Representative pictures of subcutaneously implanted tumours (a) and tumour volume quantification (b). (c) Ki67, RNF12, and RB1 expression in xenografted tumour sections as shown by IHC. (d) A model showing how RNF12 controls the MAPK pathway and facilitates RB1 degradation. Three separate tests yielded comparable findings, and 1 sample result was displayed. The data are provided as mean standard deviation.∗∗p0.01,∗∗∗p0.001,∗∗p0.05,∗∗p0.01,∗∗∗p0.001.
(a)(b)(c)(d)


## 4. Discussion

We discovered a unique role of RNF12 as an E3 ubiquitin ligase for RB1 in this work. MS discovered that RNF12 interacted with RB1 in cells [13]. The co-IP-IB test was used to validate the interaction in vitro. RNF12 has also been shown to enhance glioblastoma cell growth and cloning. RNF12 was a novel role for RB1 when compared to previously discovered E3 ligases. RNF12 causes RB1 to deteriorate. RNF12 also increased cell proliferation and clone formation via regulating the MAPK pathway [14]. RB1 has been found to be downregulated in up to 60% of human cancers [15]. As a result of modulating the MAPK pathway and deregulating the RB1 protein, our findings suggest that RNF12 may have a tumour-promoting role. RNF12 expression is upregulated in a specific percentage of malignancies, according to our findings. RNF12 might thus be exploited as a medicinal therapeutic target of certain malignancies [16, 17]. Furthermore, we discovered that RNF12 may increase RB1 ubiquitination. Scramble Si-1 or Si-2 against RNF12 was transfected into LN229 and U343 cells. After cycloheximide treatment, cells were collected at various time intervals and submitted to WB. Its control of RB1 activity is most likely governed by the same mechanism. DNA replication, RNA transcription, cell growth and proliferation, metabolism, ribosome biogenesis, genome stability, and other biological activities are all regulated by RB1 [15, 18, 19].Furthermore, the MAPK pathway is one of the most commonly changed oncogenic pathways in cancer [20]. Although RAS mutations are perhaps the most common MAPK mutations, changes in downstream pathway components such as the RAF and MEK genes, which are less common, provide promising therapeutic opportunities [21, 22]. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) are two proteins that control extracellular signalling (ERK2) which are downstream components of a phosphorelay pathway that transmits growth and mitogenic signals mostly through the small RAS GTPases. ERK proteins regulate a number of evolutionarily conserved cellular processes in metazoans by phosphorylating a wide range of substrates, and their dysregulation leads to the development of several human diseases [23]. We examined the protein levels of many MAPK pathway components, including ERK, p-ERK, RAS, and MAPK, using western blot analysis. In glioblastoma cells, Si-RNF12 knockdown reduced the expression of p-ERK, RAS, and MAPK.Finally, we demonstrated that RNF12 regulates RB1 and hence plays a role in cell proliferation control. It will be fascinating to see if RLIM is involved in other biological processes controlled by RB1. Our lab has discovered a link between RNF12 and RB1. RNF12 interacts with the most significant cancer-related pathways, which is fascinating. To completely understand the role of RNF12 in coordinating the most critical tumour-promoting activity, more research is required.


## 5. Conclusion

We concluded that RNF12 enhances glioblastoma cells proliferation and clone by modulating the MAPK pathway and ubiquitination RB1 protein. Therefore, the malignant glioblastoma cells might be regulated by RNF12/RB1/MAPK pathway axis. This study also illustrates that developing glioblastoma therapy by targeting the novel axis should be considered.



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*Source: 4711232-2021-12-01.xml*