2. Academic Validation
  3. Circular RNA circCLASP2 promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression through binding to DHX9 to enhance PCMT1 translation

Circular RNA circCLASP2 promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression through binding to DHX9 to enhance PCMT1 translation

  • Mol Cancer. 2025 Mar 6;24(1):67. doi: 10.1186/s12943-025-02272-3.
Miao Peng 1 2 3 4,  Shanshan Zhang 3 5,  Pan Wu 2,  Xiangchan Hou 2,  Dan Wang 2,  Junshang Ge 2,  Hongke Qu 2,  Chunmei Fan 2,  Yujuan Zhou 1,  Bo Xiang 2,  Qianjin Liao 1,  Ming Zhou 2,  Ming Tan 6,  Guiyuan Li 2,  Wei Xiong 1 2 3,  Pan Chen 7,  Zhaoyang Zeng 8 9 10,  Zhaojian Gong 11 12 13
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China.
  • 2 Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and Xiangya School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China.
  • 3 FuRong Laboratory, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.
  • 4 Medical Innovation Research Division, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
  • 5 Department of Oral Medicine, Center of Stomatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China.
  • 6 Institute of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan.
  • 7 NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China. chenpan08@csu.edu.cn.
  • 8 NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China. zengzhaoyang@csu.edu.cn.
  • 9 Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and Xiangya School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China. zengzhaoyang@csu.edu.cn.
  • 10 FuRong Laboratory, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China. zengzhaoyang@csu.edu.cn.
  • 11 NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China. gongzhaojian4458@csu.edu.cn.
  • 12 Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and Xiangya School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China. gongzhaojian4458@csu.edu.cn.
  • 13 Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China. gongzhaojian4458@csu.edu.cn.
PMID: 40050914 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-025-02272-3
Abstract

Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs), characterized by their covalently closed-loop structures, constitute a distinct class of non-coding RNAs. They play pivotal regulatory roles within cells and are intricately associated with the progression of malignant tumors. However, their roles and the underlying mechanisms in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) progression have yet to be fully uncovered and comprehensively understood.

Methods: Employing RNA Sequencing technology, high-abundance circular RNAs in NPC were identified. Expression analysis of circCLASP2 in NPC tissues was conducted using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and in situ hybridization experiments. Through in vitro and in vivo functional assays, the influence of circCLASP2 on the proliferation and metastasis of NPC was investigated. LC-MS/MS technology analyzed the binding partners of circCLASP2, its differentially regulated targets, and the associated proteins of PCMT1. Interactions among circCLASP2, DHX9 protein, and PCMT1 mRNA were elucidated through RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull-down techniques. The effects of circCLASP2 and DHX9 on RNA G-quadruplex (rG4) structures and PCMT1 mRNA translation were explored through immunofluorescence (IF), ribosomal gradient separation, and dual-luciferase reporter assays. Immunoprecipitation (IP) revealed the downstream effector of the circCLASP2-DHX9-PCMT1 regulatory axis and Phalloidin staining confirmed its ultimate effect on the Cytoskeleton. PDS treatment was applied for interventions in NPC, demonstrating potential therapeutic avenues.

Results: Our research revealed that circCLASP2, a novel circRNA that has not been reported in tumors, is upregulated in NPC and fosters cell proliferation and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circCLASP2 acts as a molecular scaffold, facilitating the approximation of DHX9 to PCMT1 mRNA. DHX9 unwinds the inhibitory rG4 structure near the translation initiation site on PCMT1 mRNA, increasing PCMT1 expression. PCMT1 binds to and upregulates cytoskeleton-associated proteins, modulating Cytoskeleton strength and dynamics and ultimately driving NPC cell proliferation and metastasis. In both in vitro and in vivo experiments, PDS significantly inhibits NPC growth and metastasis, showcasing promising therapeutic potential.

Conclusions: Our investigation pinpointed a circular RNA, circCLASP2, which is upregulated in NPC and augments cytoskeletal functions via the DHX9-PCMT1 axis, contributing to the malignancy progression of NPC. This pathway holds promise as a potential therapeutic target for NPC. Furthermore, these molecules could also serve as biomarkers for adjunct diagnosis and prognosis assessment in NPC.

Keywords

CircCLASP2; Cytoskeleton; DHX9; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; PCMT1.

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