To determine if a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) has cis-regulatory functions, several criteria are typically considered:
Proximity to Target Gene: The lncRNA should be located near the target gene on the same chromosome.
Expression Correlation: There should be a correlation between the expression of the lncRNA and the target gene.
Functional Evidence: Experimental evidence, such as loss-of-function or gain-of-function studies, should show that the lncRNA can regulate the target gene’s expression.
Physical Interaction: The lncRNA should physically interact with the target gene’s DNA or associated chromatin.
Conservation: The regulatory function of the lncRNA should be conserved across different species or cell types, if applicable.
Testing the proximity of a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) to its target gene involves several methods:
Genomic Location Analysis: By examining the genomic coordinates of lncRNAs and potential target genes, researchers can determine physical proximity within the genome.
Expression Studies: Correlating the expression levels of lncRNAs and nearby genes can suggest regulatory relationships, especially when changes in lncRNA expression affect the gene’s expression.
Chromatin Conformation Capture (3C): Techniques like 3C or Hi-C can be used to detect physical interactions between the lncRNA and the target gene’s DNA, indicating proximity within the three-dimensional structure of the genome.
Computational Prediction: Databases like LncRNA2Target provide information on experimentally validated lncRNA-target interactions, which can be used to predict potential cis-regulatory relationships.
Experimental Validation: Techniques such as RNA immunoprecipitation or RNA pull-down assays can confirm the physical interaction between the lncRNA and the target gene’s DNA or RNA1.
These methods collectively help in establishing the cis-regulatory role of lncRNAs by confirming their proximity to target genes.
ceRNA stands for competing endogenous RNA. In molecular biology, ceRNAs are transcripts that regulate other RNA molecules by competing for shared microRNAs (miRNAs). This interaction is part of a complex regulatory network where ceRNAs can influence the levels and activity of miRNAs, thereby affecting the expression of miRNA targets.
The ceRNA network includes various types of RNAs such as long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), pseudogenes, and circular RNAs (circRNAs), all of which can act as molecular sponges. They bind to miRNAs through miRNA response elements (MREs), reducing the miRNAs’ ability to target other RNAs. This mechanism is crucial for maintaining the balance of gene expression and has implications in various biological processes and diseases, including cancer
The flox and Cre systems are integral parts of genetic engineering, particularly in creating genetically modified organisms like mice for research purposes. Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Flox: The term “flox” refers to a DNA sequence that has been flanked by loxP sites. These loxP sites are specific 34-base pair sequences that are recognized by the Cre recombinase enzyme1. When a gene is “floxed,” it means that it can be conditionally removed or altered by the action of Cre recombinase, which allows researchers to study the function of the gene in a controlled manner.
Cre: Cre is an enzyme called Cre recombinase that comes from bacteriophage P1. It recognizes loxP sites in the DNA and can cut and rejoin the DNA at these sites1. This allows for precise manipulation of the genome, such as the deletion, insertion, or inversion of DNA segments. The activity of Cre recombinase can be controlled so that it only acts in specific cell types or in response to certain stimuli, making it a powerful tool for studying gene function and creating models of human disease2.
The Cre-Lox system is widely used in neuroscience and other fields of biology to study complex systems and diseases. For example, it can be used to delete a gene in only certain types of neurons, which helps scientists understand the role of that gene in brain function1. It’s also used in creating models for diseases like cancer, where researchers can activate or deactivate cancer-related genes in specific tissues1.
This system provides a high level of control over gene expression and is invaluable for research that requires the study of gene function in living organisms. It’s one of the most precise tools available for genetic manipulation and has revolutionized the field of genetics.
1. 定义研究目标
- 探索 circ_0002111 在甲状腺乳头状癌(PTC)进展中的调控机制
2. 提出假设
- circ_0002111 在 PTC 中上调并影响细胞增殖、迁移和糖酵解
3. 设计实验
a. RT-qPCR 测量 circ_0002111 表达水平
b. MTT 实验检测细胞增殖
c. EdU 掺入实验检测 DNA 合成
d. 集落形成实验检测长期增殖
e. Transwell 实验检测细胞迁移
f. Seahorse 分析进行代谢剖析
g. 西方印迹法分析蛋白表达
h. 小鼠体内移植瘤实验检测体内肿瘤形成能力
i. RNA 拉下实验确定 circ_0002111 的相互作用
j. 双荧光素酶报告基因表达调控实验
4. 进行实验
- 执行上述实验并记录观察结果
5. 数据分析
- 与对照组比较结果,确定 circ_0002111 的效果
6. 得出结论
- 评估数据是否支持假设
7. 报告发现
- circ_0002111 通过海绵 miR-134-5p 和调节 FSTL1 促进 PTC 进展
Here’s a summary of the key experiments and their conclusions from the article:
Circ_0002111 Expression Analysis: The study found that circ_0002111 was significantly upregulated in PTC tissues and cells, suggesting its role in PTC progression1.
Functional Assays: Silencing circ_0002111 inhibited PTC cell proliferation, migration, and glycolytic metabolism, indicating its oncogenic function23.
In Vivo Tumorigenesis: Knockdown of circ_0002111 reduced tumor growth in a xenograft model, further confirming its role in promoting PTC4.
miR-134-5p Interaction: Circ_0002111 was shown to act as a sponge for miR-134-5p, affecting its expression and PTC cell behavior.
FSTL1 Regulation: The study demonstrated that miR-134-5p targets FSTL1, and circ_0002111 can regulate FSTL1 levels by sponging miR-134-5p.
反转录定量聚合酶链反应 (RT-qPCR)
用于检测circ_0002111、miR-134-5p和FSTL1的水平。1
通过SYBR™ Green Master Mix和TaqMan™ Fast Advanced Master Mix进行定量反应。
细胞增殖评估
使用MTT试剂、EdU试剂和克隆形成试验来评估细胞增殖。
通过显微镜观察和图像分析软件计数。
细胞迁移能力测定
通过Transwell试验来确定细胞迁移能力。2
使用结晶紫染色并通过倒置显微镜观察。
糖酵解分析
通过外部酸化率(ECAR)、氧消耗率(OCR)、葡萄糖消耗和乳酸产生来分析糖酵解。
使用Seahorse XFe 96 Extracellular Flux Analyzer进行检测。
1. Define Research Objective
- Explore regulatory mechanism of circ_0002111 in PTC progression
2. Formulate Hypothesis
- circ_0002111 upregulates in PTC and affects cell proliferation, migration, and glycolysis
3. Design Experiments
a. RT-qPCR to measure circ_0002111 expression levels
b. MTT assay for cell proliferation
c. EdU incorporation assay for DNA synthesis
d. Colony formation assay for long-term proliferation
e. Transwell assay for cell migration
f. Seahorse analysis for metabolic profiling
g. Western blot for protein expression analysis
h. Xenograft tumor assay in mice for in vivo tumorigenicity
i. RNA pull-down to identify circ_0002111 interactions
j. Dual-luciferase reporter assay for gene expression regulation
4. Conduct Experiments
- Perform the above assays and record observations
5. Analyze Data
- Compare results with control groups to determine the effect of circ_0002111
6. Draw Conclusions
- Assess whether the data supports the hypothesis
7. Report Findings
- circ_0002111 promotes PTC progression by sponging miR-134-5p and regulating FSTL1
The article details several experiments conducted to explore the role of circular RNA (circ_0002111) in the progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Here’s a detailed one-to-one list of the experiments and their demonstrations:
RT-qPCR: Used to detect the levels of circ_0002111, miR-134-5p, and FSTL1, demonstrating that circ_0002111 is upregulated in PTC samples and cells1.
Cell Proliferation Assays (MTT, EdU, Colony Formation): Showed that downregulation of circ_0002111 suppresses PTC cell proliferation.
Transwell Assay: Indicated that circ_0002111 knockdown reduces PTC cell migration ability2.
Glycolysis Analysis (ECAR, OCR, Glucose Consumption, Lactate Production): Demonstrated that circ_0002111 downregulation leads to decreased glycolytic metabolism in PTC cells.
Western Blot: Confirmed that silencing circ_0002111 reduces the levels of proteins associated with proliferation, migration, and glycolysis.
Xenograft Tumor Assay: Revealed that circ_0002111 promotes tumorigenesis in vivo34.
Dual-Luciferase Reporter and RNA Pull-Down Assays: Validated that circ_0002111 acts as a sponge for miR-134-5p and regulates FSTL1 expression.