Effect of Small Nuclear RNA 64 (SNORA64) on Apoptosis Regulator Genes in Pancreatic Cancer in Vitro

1. Introduction

This Adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer are two major types of pancreatic cancer. Most pancreatic cancer diagnoses are adenocarcinomas, which account for more than 90 % of all cases and originate in the pancreas’ duct lining.¹ There are limited treatment options for pancreatic cancer, because of its aggressive and lethal nature, it has a dismal prognosis. In order to develop effective therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer, it is essential to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in its progression.² Cancer cells, however, are often able to escape cell death and continue to proliferate in pancreatic cancer due to the deregulation of the apoptosis pathway.¹ The process of apoptosis, or programmed cell death, maintains tissue homeostasis and prevents cancer triggered by several stimuli. During early development and in pathophysiological conditions, programmed cell death plays a key role in maintaining morphogenetic homeostasis.³ The development and progression of cancer are associated with the deregulation of different apoptotic components.² Apoptosis requires the activation of distinct signaling pathways that are frequently deregulated by cancer, such as tumor suppressor P53.³ P53 is the most common genetic alteration found in clinical tumor samples, and there’s a positive statistical association between its expression and apoptosis.⁴ It may therefore be possible to track the progression of cancer by investigating the single or multiple apoptotic components involved in its expression during carcinogenesis.² DNA damage and oxidative stress are examples of internal, or so-called mitochondrial stimuli that can also affect apoptosis (as well as external stimuli).^2,3 In the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, members of the B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 (BCl2) family include groups of genes known as pro- or antiapoptotic proteins. Apoptosis activation is relatively dependent on the balance between the expression of these genes. There are anti-apoptotic regulators (BCl2, BCL-XL, BCLDW, and MCL-1), pro-apoptotic BH3-only regulators that act as apoptotic sensitizers (BAD, NOXA, HRK, BIK, BMF), pro-apoptotic BH3-only regulators that act as apoptotic activators (BID, BIM, and PUMA), and pore-forming regulators that act as effectors (BAX, BAK).³ Specifically, the BCl2 family of proteins is responsible for regulating mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization. Any change in mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization leads to the irreversible release of intermembrane space proteins such as Cytochrome c (Cyt.c).⁵ The latter is a water-soluble protein released from the mitochondrial membrane in the cytoplasm and initiates the executive apoptotic pathways, such as activates the execution pathway mediated by caspase enzymes. Several cancer types have been associated with Cyt.c as a prognostic indicator of apoptosis, based on the data available so far. Researchers discovered that NS398 medications were linked to the suppression of Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) production in esophageal cancer cells via a cyt. c-dependent pathway.⁶ In a similar study, teniposide increased Cyt. c expression in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that it affected anticancer drug resistance and induced programmed cell death in cancerous cells. Upon release from the mitochondrial membrane in the cytoplasm, Cyt. c activates procaspase-9 which has a proteolytic activity.⁷ In the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, procaspase-9 is an initiator caspase that is present in a monomer form and consists of three domains.³ In the event of caspase-9 activation, it cleaves and activates executor caspase-3. It is known that caspase-3, a major component of the execution pathway, cleaves DNAase inhibitors and proteins of the cytoskeleton, causing the fragmentation of cells.^3,8 It is believed that caspase-3 participates in proteolytic series by activating caspases -6, -7, and -9 to facilitate the disintegration of the apoptotic cells prior to their removal by phagocytosis.³ Generally, cell death results from the execution pathway, which is demonstrated by blebbing membranes, DNA disintegration condensed chromosomes, and cell shrinkage. Evidence suggests that deregulation of specific caspases enhances the tumorigenic potential of cells.⁹

One of the most prominent examples of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs). snoRNA is a small RNA molecule that typically consists of 60 to 300 nucleotides and is found primarily in the nucleus of a cell.¹⁰ In the late 1970s, snoRNA’s primary role was uncovered in research to ensure that ribosomes, the cellular machinery that synthesizes proteins, are assembled and function correctly.¹¹ In recent years, researchers have covered a wide variety of regulatory processes, including transcription, post-transcriptional modification, and translation. However, it was found that snoRNA was significantly downregulated in meningiomas compared with normal brain tissue. This led to further investigation of the potential role of snoRNA in cancer.¹² Clinical samples and cell lines have also shown that snoRNAs are expressed in a variety of malignancies, indicating that they may be used as prognostic and diagnostic indicators for diseases including breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Among the snoRNAs that are frequently overexpressed in breast cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer, SNORA42, SNORD15A, SNORD15B, SNORD22, SNORD17, and SNORD87 have been demonstrated to correlate with tumorigenicity, highlighting snoRNA’s significance in regulating cancer biology.¹³ As demonstrated by the strong correlation between a poor clinical outcome and increased SNORD52 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). SNORD52 increases the stability of the CDK1 protein, which in turn promotes the development of HCC. Therefore; targeting the Upf1/SNORD52/CDK1 pathway may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of HCC.¹⁴ Though their processes, particularly their functions in cellular signal transduction pathways, are not fully understood, the majority of recent reports focus on SNORAs screening and verifying their correlations with illnesses. Based on these findings, it is possible that SNORAs play an important role at the transcriptional and epigenetic levels, as well as in healthy and tumor tissues and body fluids.^12,13

Small nucleolar RNA, H/ACA box 64 (SNORA64) or U64 is one of the SNORAs that enables protein binding, as evidenced by Inferred Physical Interaction (IPI). In addition, SNORA64 is involved in processing primary RNA transcripts into one or more mature RNA molecules as Inferred from Electronic Annotation (IEA).^15,16 The interaction of this molecule with a number of proteins could be involved in modulating telomerase, according to some researchers.¹⁵ Further, it may serve as a potential osteoarthritis biomarker.¹⁷ According to our earlier research, there are variations in mRNA expression between the three distinct tumor grades, indicating a significant part for SNORA64 in the genesis and progression of pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, a link was observed between the reduction of SNORA64 expression and the stimulation of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. These findings suggest that SNORA64 could serve as a predictive marker in pancreatic cancer.¹⁸ Due to the lack of knowledge of SNORAs’ impact on apoptotic pathways, we are currently examining how SNORA64 affects the expression of both pro- and anti-apoptotic genes in pancreatic cancer cells.

2. Material and methods

3. Results

3.1 Pk-8 SNORA64 knockdown shows a significant low expression of tumor suppressor P53

In comparison to a scrambled control cell line, Pk-8 with SNORA64 knockdown significantly downregulated the expression of p53 (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Tumor suppressor P53 mRNA expression level in Pk-8 SNORA64 knockdown cell line.

Pk-8 with SNORA64 knockdown significantly downregulated the expression of p53 mRNA compared to the scramble control cell line. P-value was 0.01.

3.2 Pk-8 SNORA64 knockdown shows significant differences in the expression of apoptotic regulator genes

Pk-8 cell line with SNORA64 knockdown significantly upregulated the expression of anti-apoptotic regulator genes BCL2 and BCL-Xl in contrast with the scramble (Figure 2A).

Figure 2. Apoptotic regulators mRNA expression levels in the Pk-8 SNORA64 knockdown cell line.

A.Pk-8 with SNORA64 knockdown significantly upregulated the expression of anti-apoptotic regulator genes BCL2 and BCL-Xl in contrast with the scramble. P-value were 0.01, and 0.01respectively.

B. In comparison to the scramble control cell line, Pk-8 with SNORA64 knockdown markedly reduced the pro-apoptotic regulator genes BID, BAX, and BAK. BAD and BIM, however, do not differ from scramble cell line control in terms of expression. P-value were 0.001, 0.001, 0.001, 0.1 and 0.06 respectively.

In comparison to a scrambled control cell line, Pk-8 with SNORA64 knockdown significantly downregulated the pro-apoptotic genes BID, BAX, and BAK (Figure 2B). Despite this, there is no change in the expression of BAD and BIM in Pk-8 with SNORA64 knockdown compared to the scrambled control cell line (Figure 2B).

3.3 Pk-8 SNORA64 knockdown shows significantly low expression of apoptotic enzymes

In comparison to a scrambled control cell line, Pk-8 with SNORA64 knockdown significantly downregulated the expression of apoptotic enzyme genes CASP-9, 3, and 7 (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Apoptotic enzyme mRNA expression levels in the Pk-8 SNORA64 knockdown cell line.

Pk-8 with SNORA64 knockdown significantly downregulated the expression of apoptotic enzyme regulator genes CASP-9, 3, and 7 compared to the scramble control cell line. P-value were 0.0001, 0.002, and 0.001 respectively.

3.4 Pk-8 SNORA64 knockdown shows significant survival n in viable cells and viability

In comparison to a scrambled control cell line, Pk-8 with SNORA64 knockdown significantly elevated the number of viable cells (Figure 4A) and viability (Figure 4B).

Figure 4. Cellular viabilities in Pk-8 SNORA64 knockdown cell line.

A. In comparison with the scramble control cell line, Pk-8 with SNORA64 knockdown showed a significant increase in viable cells. P-value was 0.01.

B. Pk-8 with SNORA64 knockdown significantly increased the viability of the cells compared to the scramble control cell line. P-value was 0.01.

4. Discussion

Despite the limited treatment options and poor prognosis for pancreatic cancer, this disease is highly aggressive and deadly.¹ One of the characteristics of pancreatic cancer that encourages initiation, growth, and therapeutic resistance is apoptosis avoidance.^2,3,19 Apoptosis relies on specific signaling pathways that are often deregulated in cancer development and progression.^2,3 The apoptosis pathway is cooperatively coordinated by tumor suppressor p53 signaling pathways. Epidemiological research and molecular evidence have shown that P53 mutations are associated with an increased risk of developing cancer.^3,4,20 Mutations in the P53 gene compromise its function and give p53 mutants oncogenic traits, making p53 a prominent target for novel anti-cancer therapies due to its frequent mutations and inactivation in malignant tumors.⁴ Our results show low expression of P53 in the Pk-8 with SNORA64 knockdown expression compared to the control. It is well known that genetic alteration in the tumor suppressor P53 is common during stages of pancreatic carcinogenesis.²⁰ By interacting with the multidomain members of the BCL2 family, p53 directly contributes to the intrinsic apoptotic pathway by inducing permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane.³ Furthermore, an investigation was conducted to determine how the expression of the p53 and BCL2 proteins relates to the various kinds of human cancers.²⁰ In the malignant tumors, there was a noteworthy negative connection observed between the expression of p53 and BCL2.^10,20 According to our findings, Pk-8 has elevated BCL2 and BCL-XL expression, while SNORA64 expression is low. The BCL2 and BCL-XL dimers prevent death signals and promote cell survival.³ As pancreatic cancer progresses, BCL-XL expression rises. Treatments using anti-BCL-XL may be able to stop pancreatic tumors from progressing from their primary to more advanced stages.²¹ Furthermore, BCL-XL overexpression raises the incidence rates of pancreatic cancer by preventing apoptosis and senescence brought on by oncogenes.²²

It is well known that the tumor suppressor gene p53 essential for maintaining genomic stability. It controls the production of the anti-apoptosis molecule BCL2 as well as the pro-apoptosis molecule BAX.⁴ The pro-apoptotic gene BAX and the anti-apoptotic gene BCL2 have been found to be significant participants in the control of apoptosis in pancreatic cancer.²² Conversely, this study shows a decline in the expression of the pro-apoptotic molecules BID, BAK, and BAX, while SNORA64 expression is low. BID is one of the molecules that activate BAK and BAX dimerization. BID protein is truncated in the presence of one of the intrinsic signaling apoptosis. Truncated BID can activate the effector proteins BAK and BAX. The BAK and BAX dimers bind to and sequester the anti-apoptotic BCL2 and BCL-XL.^3,5 The subsequent signals have an impact on the potential of the mitochondrial membrane and result in the release of Cyt. c to the cytoplasm. Consequently, the release of Cyt. c and the activation of Casp-9 and 3 initiate the cascade of caspases.^3,6 Despite this, SNORA64 knockdown showed no effect on the expression of BAD and BIM in Pk-8 with SNORA64 knockdown when compared with the scrambled control cells. The proapoptotic action of BAD protein is negatively regulated by AKT phosphorylation. In addition, BIM can directly activate BAX and BAK to initiate apoptosis due to its ability to bind and sequester BCL2 and BCL-XL protein molecules with immense affinities.⁵ Our findings highlight the fact that SNORA64 has no genetic expression-level impact on BAD/BIM. However, the post-transcription alteration is still a worthwhile area for future research.

Via lowering the transmembrane flux of calcium ions, BCL2 may also control apoptosis via modifying calcium channels. Ca²⁺ is released from the endoplasmic reticulum when pro-apoptotic molecules build up on this organelle. This release then triggers the apoptotic program by activating the initiator procaspase-12, which cleaves and activates caspase-9 and caspase-3.^3,5 Casp-3 activation is thought to initiate the apoptotic execution route since it can activate Casp-6 and 7. The execution route is irreversible and constitutes the last phase of apoptosis induction.³ Many studies demonstrated the Casp-3 role in the progression, aggressiveness, and overall survival time of patients with gastric, ovarian, prostate, cervical, and colorectal cancer.^23–25 Furthermore, Casp-3 can suppress dissemination and invasion and promote the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition phenotype. Casp-3 is therefore regarded as a significant prognostic marker and an indicator for cancer disease-free survival rates as well as overall 5-year survival rates.^23,25 When compared to the scrambled control cells, our data demonstrate a decrease in the key caspases’ mRNA expression in the intrinsic signaling apoptosis Casp-9, 3, and 7.

The imbalance of both pro- and anti-apoptotic genes may stimulate tumor growth and progression in pancreatic cancer by increasing cell proliferation, cell viability, and decreasing cell death.^1,2 Culture productivity is increased when anti-apoptosis genes, such as BCL2, are overexpressed and suppress apoptosis.⁵ The pro-apoptotic molecules BCL2 and BCL-XL enhance the survival duration and longevity of the cells. BCL2 regulates Ca²⁺ concentration, inhibits caspase (9,3,6, and 7) to prevent apoptosis and enhance malignant transformation, and BCL-XL decreases the release of mitochondrial cytochrome C.⁵ Our results indicated a significant increase in viable cells and viability in Pk-8 with knockdown of SNORA64 compared to the scramble. The increase of the cell survival may result from the increased expression of anti-apoptotic genes. We also recently reported that the expression of SNORA64 in pancreatic cancer tissues is significantly higher than that in normal pancreatic ductal tissues.¹⁸

Pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic regulator equilibrium is essential for homeostasis, and any change toward survival through a variety of escape mechanisms will encourage tumor growth.³ One of the primary methods that tumor cells develop resistance to chemotherapy and radiation treatment is through apoptosis-regulatory mediators, particularly elevated concentrations of anti-apoptotic proteins.²⁶ Restoring apoptosis in the tumor cells resistant to chemotherapy and radiation therapy is crucial to the treatment.^26,27 Therefore, SNORA64 can be used as a therapeutic agent to increase cell sensitivity to death by chemotherapy. A future step should be taken to investigate the synergistic effect of SNORA64 and chemotherapy in cancer treatment.

Several studies have demonstrated the critical role played by SNORAs in cancer development and their potential uses as biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets.^12–18 As a result, changes in SNORAs expression could significantly affect the pathogenic processes and pathways underlying the development of cancer. Our research shows that, among particular molecules, the SNORA64 molecule has the capacity to activate the apoptotic intrinsic pathway or enhance sensitivity to death. On the other hand, SNORA64 could be a key indicator for cell proliferation and survival. We propose that SNORA64 may influence a transcriptional or post-transcriptional regulator that coordinately modulates p53 and a subset of BCL2 family genes, but not BAD/BIM on the transcriptional level.

5. Limitation

Future work should validate findings in other pancreatic cancer cell lines and in vivo models.

6. Conclusion

Based on our findings, SNORA64 may modulate both pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes that control apoptosis. SNORA64 promotes apoptosis by increasing the expression of the apoptotic key master P53 and pro-apoptotic molecules such as BID, BAX, and BAK. Meanwhile, SNORA64 expression impact the anti-apoptosis molecules BCL2 and BCL-XL by decreasing their expression. Consequently, low expression of SNORA64 increases the viability of pancreatic cancer cells by increasing viable cells number.

Ethics information

This study was completed in accordance with Southern Technical University’s ethical guidelines with approval number 5/1863. This study did not involve human participants.