RBM12 regulates the progression of hepatocellular cancer via miR-497-5p/CPNE1 Axis.

Background: Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), also called hepatocellular cancer, has emerged as a highly prevalent malignancy globally. By binding to specific RNA via one or more spherical RNA Domains (RBDs) or RNA Motifs (RBMs), RNA Binding Proteins (RBPs) can affect RNA modification, splicing, localization, translation, and stability.

Methods: This paper builds on previous research by further investigating the impact of RBM12 on LC progression. In order to determine the effect of RBM12 expression on the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular cancer, we first investigated its expression in liver cancer cells (LCC) and tissues. The effect of RBM12 on the malignant biological behavior of LCC was subsequently detected using cytological experiments. To explore the upstream mechanism affecting RBM12, we predicted the miRNA targeting RBM12. According to the database, miR-497-5p was the best candidate gene. The double Luciferase reporter gene experiment was executed to validate the bounding of miR-497-5p with RBM12.

Results: According to the cytological experiments, a high RBM12 expression promoted the propagation, migration, and invasion of LCC and impeded liver cancer cell apoptosis. By secreting TGF-β1, RBM12 could induce the EMT process. The miR-497-5p expression is suppressed in hepatocellular cancer. As shown by the CCK8, plate cloning, Transwell, EDU, and other experiments, miR-497-5p suppressed RBM12 expression and tumor growth. The double Luciferase reporter gene system was utilized to verify the combination of miR-497-5p and RBM12. The CPNE1 is a downstream gene regulated by RBM12. A high CPNE1 expression was exhibited in LCC and tissues. The CPNE1 is essential in the process where RBM12 promotes the incidence and progression of liver cancer.

Conclusions: By elucidating the exact molecular mechanism through which RBM12 promotes the initiation and progression of LC, thus, the current investigation provides some reference for the clinical management of LC.