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. 2022 Mar 28;12:38. doi: 10.1186/s13578-022-00772-z

MIR210HG promotes breast cancer progression by IGF2BP1 mediated m6A modification

Wenjing Shi 1,2,3,4, Yongzhe Tang 1,2,4, Jing Lu 1,2,4, Yihui Zhuang 5,6, Jie Wang 1,2,4,✉
PMCID: PMC8962467  PMID: 35346372

Abstract

Background

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women around the world, and the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer progression and metastasis are still unclear. This study aims to clarify the function and N6,2′-O-dimethyladenosine (m6A) regulation of lncRNA MIR210HG in breast cancer.

Results

High expression of MIR210HG was confirmed in breast cancer. MIR210HG promoted breast cancer progression, which was mediated by its encoded miR-210. MIR210HG was regulated by IGF2BP1 mediated m6A modification. IGF2BP1 was confirmed highly expressed in breast cancer and induced both MIR210HG and miR-210 expression, which contributed to breast cancer progression. In addition, MIR210HG transcript was stabilized by IGF2BP1 and co-factor ELAVL1. IGF2BP1 was a direct target of MYCN via E-box binding motif. MYCN induced IGF2BP1 expression in breast cancer cells. MIR210HG and miR-210 expressions were also increased by MYCN.

Conclusions

In breast cancer, MIR210HG functions as an oncogenic lncRNA, which is also mediated by its encoded miR-210. In addition, both IGF2BP1 and ELAVL1 enhance the stability of MIR210HG, which contributes to the progression of breast cancer. Interestingly, IGF2BP1 is directly activated by MYCN, which explains the oncogenic role of MYCN. These findings clarify the m6A regulation related molecular mechanism of breast cancer progression. The MYCN/IGF2BP1/MIR210HG axis may serve as an alternative molecular mechanism of breast cancer progression.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13578-022-00772-z.

Keywords: MIR210HG, miR-210, IGF2BP1, MYCN, m6A, Breast cancer

Introduction

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women around the world [1]. Although therapies have been improved in past few decades, the 5-year overall survival rate of patients is largely decreased once metastasis and drug resistance happen [2]. However, the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer progression and metastasis are still unclear, which conceives obstacles in breast cancer treatment. In recent years, studies have shown that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays critical roles in breast cancer progression [3, 4], which greatly supplements the gene regulation in this disease. LncRNAs execute their functions via various of paths such as transcription regulation, competitive endogenous RNA regulation and N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) modification [5]. In this study, the m6A regulation on lncRNA will be demonstrated.

The lncRNA MIR210HG is a host gene encoding miR-210, located in 21q13.3 with 567 nucleotides [6]. Previous studies reveal that MIR210HG functions as an oncogene and promotes tumor progression. In endometrial cancer, MIR210HG enriches genes of Wnt and TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathways, which reinforces cancer development [7]. In breast cancer, MIR210HG is involved in Warburg Effect that induces tumor growth [8]. Furthermore, MIR210HG strengthens metastasis of breast cancer by forcing mucin-1 expression through ceRNA regulation [9]. Nevertheless, the more detailed and subtle molecular mechanisms and regulation model of MIR210HG in breast cancer is largely unknown. Thus, our study will illustrate the regulation of MIR210HG in breast cancer progression.

Besides being involved in transcription complex and ceRNA regulation, lncRNA is also mediated by m6A modification. In many cases, m6A locus contains “RRACH” motif and is associated with RNA abundance and stability [10]. In pathological processes, m6A methylation is regulated by methyltransferases (“writers”), demethylases (“erasers”) and binding proteins (“readers”) [11]. Studies validate that methyltransferases such as METTL3, METTL14 play dominant roles in cancer metastasis via m6A methylation [12, 13]. Demethylases such as FTO and ALKBH5 reversed the action of methyltransferases. FTO affects mRNA transcript levels via modulating RNA degradation in breast cancer [14]. As m6A readers, RNA-binding proteins including YTHDF1/2/3, IGF2BP1/2/3 and HNRNPC recognize and bind to m6A sites. Among these “readers”, IGF2BP1/2/3 are mainly related to RNA stability [15]. Interestingly, IGF2BPs preferentially recognize and bind to the m6A sites of oncogene MYC in the region of the coding region instability determinant (CRD) [16], which results in enhanced MYC expression, illustrating IGF2BPs promote tumorigenesis. However, the m6A regulation between IGF2BPs and MIR210HG in breast cancer is uncovered. Therefore, it is intriguing to reveal the effect of m6A regulation on MIR210HG in breast cancer and provide expanded molecular mechanisms in cancer progression.

In this study, we show that MIR210HG is an oncogenic lncRNA which promotes breast cancer progression. In addition, IGF2BP1 mediated m6A regulation induces MIR210HG expression. Interestingly, ELAVL1, a co-factor of IGF2BP1 is also involved in maintaining stability of MIR210HG. MYCN is confirmed to induce IGF2BP1/MIR210HG as a transcription activator of IGF2BP1. Therefore, the MYCN/IGF2BP1/MIR210HG axis may serve as an alternative molecular mechanism of breast cancer progression.

Materials and method

Cell culture

Breast cancer cell lines MCF-7, SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-435 and MDA-MB-436 cells were cultivated in DMEM medium containing 10% % fetal bovine serum (FBS) (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA), 100 units/ml penicillin and 0.1 mg/ml streptomycin in 20% O2, 5% CO2 and 37℃. In transfection, miR-210 inhibitor and siRNA pools were transfected by LipoRNAiMAX Transfection Reagent (Invitrogen) according to product instructions. Inducible vector pLVX-MIR210HG-Tet-On3G and pLVX-MYCN-HA-Tet-On3G (designed and constructed by Maokang Bio, Shanghai, China) were transfected with Lipofectamine LTX Reagent (Invitrogen) based on product instructions. The final concentrations of RNAs and vectors were 25 nM and 2 μg/ml respectively. Puromycin with 2 μg/ml concentration was maintained to keep cells continuously expressing inducible vector. To induce MIR210HG or MYCN-HA expression, 50 ng/ml Dox was added into medium. MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells with inducible vectors were named as MCF-7MIR10HG−OV, MCF-7MYCN−HA−OV, 231MIR210HG−OV and 231MYCN−HA−OV. To achieve IGF2BP1 overexpression, a pcDNA3.1-IGF2BP1 vector was designed and constructed by Maokang Bio (Shanghai, China). The final transfection concentration of this vector was 2 μg/ml in a 6-well plate.

Human samples sources

Tissues from breast cancer patients (n = 10) within last 5 years and paraffin-embedded tissue sections (n = 6) collected between year 2015–2018 were obtained from The International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital of China welfare institute (IPMCH), affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University. All separated tissues were stored in liquid nitrogen before performing experiments. This this study was approved by the Ethics Committee of IPMCH. All patients signed informed consent forms.

RNA isolation and quantitative real-time PCR (q-PCR)

Total RNAs in tissues and cells were isolated by RNeasy Micro Kit (QIAGEN) and High Pure RNA Isolation Kit (Roche) respectively according to the manufacturers’ instructions. For reverse transcription, tissue RNA was used by employing PrimeScript RT reagent Kit (Takara, Dalian, China) with gDNA Eraser to remove genomic DNAs. Cell RNA was reverse transcribed with Verso cDNA Synthesis Kit (Thermo Fisher, USA). Q-PCR was performed with SYBR Green Master Mix (Thermo Fisher) in 7500 Real-Time PCR System (Thermo Fisher). Gene expression was normalized to GAPDH and calculated with 2^(-∆∆Ct) method. Primers used were listed in Additional file 1: Table S1. Specially, for mRNA stability measurement, cells were treated with Actnomycin D (5 μM) to arrest transcription or DMSO as a negative control after 48 h of indicated transfections. RNA was collected at each designated time points and performed by q-PCR analysis. For quantification, the contents of RNA (Actnomycin D)/ RNA (DMSO) were converted to percentage of RNA at 0 h (100%).

Western blot analysis

Total protein of cells was extracted by RIPA lysis buffer. Protein concentration was determined by BCA Protein Assay Kit (TIANGEN, China). In each group, 30 μg protein was loaded and separated by SDS-PAGE gels and then transferred to PVDF membrane (Millipore, Massachusetts, USA). Membranes were block with 5% BSA dissolved in TBST for 30 min at room temperature. Then membranes were incubated with primary antibodies at 4 ℃ overnight. Secondary antibody was incubated with membrane for 1 h at room temperature. Antibodies used were listed in Additional file 1: Table S2.

Colony formation assay

Cells were seeded into 6-well plate at the density of 300 cells/well and cultivated for 3–4 weeks until obvious colonies can be seen by eyes. Medium was replaced every 5 days. Then cells were fixed with 4% PFA (v/v in PBS) for 30 min at room temperature. 0.5% crystal violet was used to stain cells for 20 min. Wash cells under the running water and let it dry in air flow. Pictures were taken by Digital camera (NIKON) and cells were counted by Image J software via measuring colony number.

Migration and invasion assay

For migration ability measurement, scratch assay was employed. Cells were seeded into 6-well plate and cultivated overnight. Cell surface wound was generated by scratching with a 10 μl tip. Cell debris were removed by pre-warmed PBS and then cultivated for 1 h. Wound images were taken after 1 h cultivation and recorded as 0 h timepoint. Cells were continuously cultivated for 24 h and then take images recorded as a terminal timepoint. Migration rate was calculated with the difference of distances between two timepoints and normalized to control group.

For invasion assay, cells were seeded into the upper chamber coated with Matrigel (Corning, USA) at the density of 1 × 105 cells/well. FBS free DMEM medium was filled in upper chamber while DMEM medium containing 10% FBS was used in the bottom chambers. After 48 h, chambers were taken out and cells were fixed by methanol for 30 min. 0.5% crystal violet was used to stain cells for 20 min. Gently removed cells in upper chamber and washed whole chamber 3 times with PBS. Images were taken by microscope. Quantification was performed with Image J software to count cell number.

M6A-RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) assay

Total RNA was extracted from MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, and treated with DNase (Sigma) to remove genomic DNA. After mRNA purification and fragmentation, the fragments were incubated with m6A primary antibody for immunoprecipitation using a Magna MeRIP™ m6A kit (#17–10,499, Merck Millipore, MA, USA). Enriched m6A modified mRNA was then detected by q-PCR.

Luciferase assay

The sequences of IGF2BP1 promoter regions with wild type or mutant E-box were inserted to pBV-Luc vector (Addgene, USA), named as IGF2BP1 WT and IGF2BP1 MUT respectively. The experiments were conducted following manufacturer’s instruction (Promega, USA). Primers used were listed in Additional file 1: Table S3.

ChIP-qPCR (q-ChIP)

MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were used to confirm the transcription factor target. Crosslinking process and chromatin immunoprecipitation were performed according to the instruction provided in the QuikChIP(TM) Kit (NOVUS, USA). Q-PCR was conducted followed ChIP. Antibodies were listed in Additional file 1: Table S2 and primers were listed in Additional file 1: Table S4.

Immunohistochemistry (IHC)

The specimens were paraffin-embedded. Before experiments, the tissue sections (3 μm) were dewaxed, rehydrated, and blocked with 3% BSA and subjected to antigen retrieval. After washing, the sections were incubated primary antibodies at 4 °C overnight. Mouse IgG was then used as the negative control. After incubation, the bound antibodies were detected using horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG or goat anti-mouse IgG and visualized by diaminobenzidine (DAB). The results were graded according to both the intensity and the percentage of positive cells under a microscope by two pathologists in a blinded manner. Antibodies used were listed in Additional file 1: Table S2.

Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) analysis

For Co-IP analysis, cell lysates were resuspended in RIPA buffer containing protease and phosphatase inhibitors (Roche, Switzerland). Protein supernatant was collected by centrifuging at 12,000 rpm for 30 min at 4 ℃. The IP reaction was performed overnight at 4℃ with IGF2BP1 antibody or control IgG. The precipitates were incubated with Protein A-Sepharose beads at 4 ℃ for 2–4 h. The precipitates were washed 3 times with RIPA buffer and finally resuspended in 4 × Laemmli buffer for western blot analysis. Antibodies used in Co-IP were listed in Additional file 1: Table S2.

Animal experiments

Female BALB/c nude mice (4-week-old) were purchased from Shanghai Model Organisms Center, Inc. and housed under standard conditions. In the tumor growth xenograft model, 5 × 106 MDA-MB-231 cells with scrambled siRNA and indicated siRNAs transfected were suspended in 100 μl serum-free DMEM and injected into the right flank of each mouse subcutaneously. 231MIR210HG−OV and 231MYCN−HA−OV cells with indicated treatments were also suspended in 100 μl serum-free DMEM and injected into the right flank of each mouse subcutaneously. The volumes of tumors were measured and calculated as 0.5 × length × width2. After 30 days the mice were killed and the tumors were removed for further analysis such tumor weight measurement.

Bioinformatics analysis

The data set used is from GEO database (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/), and the download data format is MINIML. Limma package (version: 3.40.2) of R software was used to study the differential expression of mRNAs. The box plot is implemented by the R software package ggplot2. Expression data and clinical data of related mRNAs was analyzed from TCGA-BRCA datasets downloaded from the National Cancer Institute’s Genomic Data Commons (https://gdc.cancer.gov/). M6A modification prediction was performed through http://m6a2target.canceromics.org/#/home and m6A-Atlas (http://180.208.58.66/m6A-Atlas/index.html). The data of ChIP-Seq analysis was obtained from Cistrome DB (http://cistrome.org/db/#/) and the scheme was generated in UCSC genome browser.

Statistics

Student’s t test (2-tailed; unpaired) was performed and calculated the significant differences between two groups. In multiple groups comparisons, 1-way analysis of variance followed by a Tukey multiple comparisons post hoc test was used. P values less than 0.05 was considered as a significant difference (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001). Statistics were performed with Prism 8 (GraphPad Software, USA).

Results

MIR210HG is highly expressed in breast cancer

By analyzing lncRNA MIR210HG expression profile in TCGA-BRCA datasets, we confirmed that MIR210HG was highly expressed in breast cancer tissues compared to normal tissues (Fig. 1A and B). In addition, high MIR210HG expression also indicated advanced pathological stages (Fig. 1C). In Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) and Invasive lobular Carcinoma (ILC), MIR210HG showed higher expression level compared to normal tissues (Fig. 1D). Then we performed analysis in three independent GEO datasets (GSE70905, GSE65194 and GSE65212) to further confirm MIR210HG expression profiles. High expression of MIR210HG was observed in breast cancer in all selected datasets (Fig. 1E). Next, q-PCR analysis was performed in 5 breast cancer cell lines including MCF-7, SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-435 and MDA-MB-436. The results revealed that MIR210HG commonly had a significant high level in all 5 breast cancer cell lines compared to the normal breast epithelium cell 76 N-F2V (Fig. 1F). Moreover, we also tested MIR210HG expression in tissues from 10 breast cancer patients. In line with the results of cell lines, MIR210HG was observed to have a significant high expression level in breast cancer tissues compared to the adjacent parts (Fig. 1G). Of note, pan-cancer analysis indicated MIR210HG was highly expressed in most cancer types (Fig. 1H), suggesting that MIR210HG is an oncogene and promising target for cancer therapy. Collectively, MIR210HG is an oncogenic lncRNA, which is possibly involved in breast cancer progression.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

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MIR210HG is highly expressed in breast cancer. A and B Unpaired and paired analysis of MIR210HG expression in TCGA-BRCA. In unpaired analysis, 1109 tumor samples and 113 normal samples were included. In paired analysis, 112 tumor samples and 112 normal samples were included. C The expression of MIR210HG in different pathological stages was analyzed based on TCGA-BRCA dataset. D The expression of MIR210HG in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) and Invasive lobular Carcinoma (ILC) was analyzed and compared to normal tissue. E MIR210HG expression was analyzed in three independent GEO datasets including GSE70915, GSE65194 and GSE65212. F q-PCR analysis of MIR210HG expression in five indicated breast cancer cell lines and compared to normal breast epithelium cell 76 N-F2V cell. G q-PCR analysis of MIR210HG expression in tumor tissues obtained from 10 patients and compared to adjacent normal tissues. H Pan-cancer analysis of MIR210HG expression. Data was obtained from TCGA datasets. Tumor samples were indicated as red bars and normal samples were indicated as blue bars. **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001

MIR210HG promotes proliferation of breast cancer

Since MIR210HG was validated highly expressed in breast cancer, we continuously clarified MIR210HG functions. Firstly, MIR210HG was knocked down by siRNA or overexpressed by inducible vector in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. MIR210HG overexpression cells were named MCF-7MIR210HG−OV and 231MIR210HG−OV respectively. Subsequently, MTT assay was employed to evaluate proliferation rates of breast cancer cells. Silencing MIR210HG repressed proliferation of breast cancer cells (Fig. 2A), whereas DOX induced MIR210HG increased breast cancer cell proliferation (Fig. 2B). Colony formation assay revealed that the colony forming capacity of breast cancer cells was prohibited by MIR210HG siRNA (Fig. 2C). Conversely, ectopic MIR210HG enhanced the colony forming capacity of breast cancer cells (Fig. 2D). In addition, we stained human breast cancer tissues with Ki-67, which indicated a high Ki-67 level in breast cancer tissues compared to adjacent tissues (Fig. 2E). Furthermore, in line with the in vitro results, in vivo analysis showed tumor growth was repressed by MIR210HG siRNA but induced by MIR210HG overexpression (Fig. 2F), evidenced by tumor weight and volume changes. Taken together, MIR210HG promotes breast cancer proliferation.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

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MIR210HG promotes proliferation of breast cancer. A Proliferation ability of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were measured by MTT assay after transfected MIR210HG siRNA. The results were normalized to scrambled siRNA group. B Proliferation ability of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were measured by MTT assay after MIR210HG was induced by DOX. The results were normalized to 0 h time point. C and D Colony formation assay analysis of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells after silencing and overexpression MIR210HG respectively. E Expression of Ki-67 was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) of 6 specimens of breast cancer patients. Scar bars: 100 μm. F Xenograft tumors of 4 groups: scrambled siRNA MDA-MB-231 cell; MIR210HG siRNA MDA-MB-231 cell; 231MIR210HG−OV cell without DOX treatment; 231MIR210HG−OV cell with DOX treatment. **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001

MIR210HG promotes metastasis of breast cancer

In following step, we determined the function of MIR210HG in migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Wound-healing assay results indicated that MIR210HG knocking down significantly repressed cell migration, whereas ectopic MIR210HG induced migration ability of MCF-7MIR210HG−OV cell (Fig. 3A). In Transwell assay, silencing MIR210HG resulted in a lower invasion ability evidenced by less stained MCF-7 cells at the bottom of the chamber. Conversely, DOX induced MIR210HG promoted MCF-7MIR210HG−OV cells to penetrate matrigel, indicating an enhanced invasion ability (Fig. 3B). Since Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is the main cause of migration and invasion, we investigated the EMT markers regulated by MIR210HG potentially. Q-PCR analysis showed that epithelial marker E-cadherin was increased while mesenchymal marker vimentin was repressed when MIR210HG was knocked down. MIR210HG overexpression resulted in a prohibited E-cadherin level but induced vimentin expression (Fig. 3C). Western blot results also showed similar results (Fig. 3D). Therefore, MIR210HG induces migration and invasion of breast cancer cells by regulating EMT process.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

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MIR210HG promotes metastasis of breast cancer. A Scratch assay of MCF-7 cell after MIR210HG silencing and MCF-7MIR210HG−OV cell with DOX treatment. Quantification of scratch assay was also presented. The results were normalized to scrambled siRNA group and untreated group respectively. B Transwell assay of MCF-7 cell after MIR210HG silencing and MCF-7MIR210HG−OV cell with DOX treatment. Quantification of transwell assay was also presented. The results were normalized to scrambled siRNA group and untreated group respectively. C and D EMT process markers E-cadherin and vimentin were tested by q-PCR and western blot in MCF-7 cell after MIR210HG silencing and MCF-7MIR210HG−OV cell with DOX treatment. **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001

miR-210 mediates MIR210HG function

As MIR210HG is the host gene of miR-210, it is interesting to clarify whether miR-210 is required for MIR210HG function. By analyzing TCGA-BRCA datasets, miR-210 was confirmed to be highly expressed in breast cancer (Fig. 4A and B). In addition, high miR-210 expression indicated a poor overall survival rate and a poor distant metastasis free survival rate in breast cancer (Fig. 4C). Indeed, the expression of miR-210 was positively correlated to MIR210HG expression in breast cancer (Fig. 4D), suggesting an interaction in chain between miR-210 and MIR210HG. Furthermore, in five breast cancer cell lines, miR-210 was validated to have high expression levels compared to the normal breast epithelium cell 76 N-F2V (Fig. 4E). Similarly, high miR-210 was also confirmed in breast cancer patients (Fig. 4F). Next, to demonstrate miR-210 function, miR-210 was knocked down achieved by a specific miR-210 inhibitor in both MCF-7MIR210HG−OV and 231MIR210HG−OV cells (Fig. 4G). Interestingly, miR-210 inhibition largely abrogated proliferation rate which was enhanced by MIR210HG overexpression (Fig. 4H). In addition, colony formation capacity elevated by MIR210HG was also repressed by miR-210 inhibition (Fig. 4I). Similarly, miR-210 inhibitor prohibited invasion ability of MCF-7MIR210HG−OV, which was induced by MIR210HG (Fig. 4J). Collectively, miR-210 is an effector of MIR210HG and mediates MIR210HG function in breast cancer progression.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 4

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miR-210 mediates MIR210HG function. A and B Unpaired and paired analysis of miR-210 expression in TCGA-BRCA. In unpaired analysis, 1109 tumor samples and 113 normal samples were included. In paired analysis, 112 tumor samples and 112 normal samples were included. C Overall survival rate and distant metastasis free survival rate of breast cancer patients with different miR-210 expression level were analyzed based on TCGA-BRCA dataset. High miR-210 expression was indicated as a red line and low miR-210 expression was indicated as a blue line. D Pearson correlation analysis between MIR210HG expression and miR-210 expression in breast cancer patients. E q-PCR analysis of miR-210 expression in four indicated breast cancer cell lines compared to 76 N-F2V cell. F q-PCR analysis of miR-210 expression in breast cancer tissues compared to adjacent tissues from 10 patients. G q-PCR analysis on miR-210 expression in MCF-7MIR210HG−OV and 231-7MIR210HG−OV cells with miR-210 inhibitor treatment. H proliferation rate was analyzed by MTT assay in MCF-7MIR210HG−OV and 231-7MIR210HG−OV cells with indicated treatments. I Colony formation assay of MCF-7MIR210HG−OV cells with indicated treatments. Quantification was presented. J Transwell assay of MCF-7MIR210HG−OV cells with indicated treatments. Quantification was presented. **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001

MIR210HG is induced by IGF2BP1 mediated m6A modification

Accumulating evidences imply that m6A modification is one of the important epigenetic regulations on lncRNA functions. Therefore, it is interesting to investigate whether MIR210HG can be regulated through m6A modification. Through bioinformatics analysis, there were four potential m6A modification sites were searched (chr11:565778, chr11:567257, chr11:567410, chr11:567484), and m6A reader IGF2BP1 was predicted to bind and recognize the sites (Fig. 5A). Indeed, MIR210HG was enriched within the m6A sites in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells (Fig. 5B). RIP results indicated that IGF2BP1 directly bind MIR210HG (Fig. 5C). Above results suggested that IGF2BP1 interacted with MIR210HG through m6A modification. Since IGF2BP1 functions an RNA binding protein, next we evaluated the stability of MIR210HG with ectopic IGF2BP1 and silenced IGF2BP1 (Fig. 5D and E). By overexpressing IGF2BP1 and blocking new RNA synthesis, the degradation of MIR210HG was largely repressed (Fig. 5F). Conversely, silencing IGF2BP1 induced the degradation of MIR210HG (Fig. 5G). Therefore, MIR210HG is regulated by IGF2BP1 through both m6A modification and transcript stabilization. Since previous studies identified that three known mRNA stabilizers including ELAV-like RNA binding protein 1 (ELAVL1; also known as HuR), matrin 3 (MATR3), and poly(A)-binding protein cytoplasmic 1 (PABPC1), are co-factors of IGF2BPs in enhancing stability of mRNA [16], here we also examined whether the three factors are involved in MIR210HG stabilization. In breast cancer cell lines, the expression of ELAVL1 was up-regulated (Fig. 5H), indicating that ELAVL1 may serve as a co-factor of IGF2BP1 to stabilize MIR210HG. Interestingly, silencing ELAVL1 induced the degradation of MIR210HG (Fig. 5I). In addition, silencing ELAVL1 largely abrogated the effect of ectopic IGF2BP1 on maintaining MIR210HG transcript (Fig. 5J). Furthermore, ELAVL1 was enriched in IGF2BP1 specific immunoprecipitation (Fig. 5K). Therefore, ELAVL1 is a co-factor of IGF2BP1, which contributes to the stabilization of MIR210HG.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 5

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MIR210HG is induced by IGF2BP1 mediated m6A modification. A MIR210HG genome scheme of m6A modification sites. Four m6A sites were indicated. B and C MeRIP assays were performed to identify variation in m6A modification and IGF2BP1 enrichments in MIR210HG after overexpressing MIR210HG in breast cancer cells. D q-PCR analysis of ectopic expression of IGF2BP1 achieved by pcDNA3.1-IGF2BP1 vector transfection in MCF-7 cells. E q-PCR analysis of IGF2BP1 silencing achieved by IGF2BP1 siRNA pools in MCF-7 cells. F and G the degradation of MIR210HG transcript was measured by q-PCR at different time points with indicated treatments. H q-PCR analysis of ELAVL1, MATR3 and PABPC1 in the indicated cell lines. I The degradation of MIR210HG transcript was measured by q-PCR at different time points after silencing ELAVL1. J The degradation of MIR210HG transcript was measured by q-PCR at different time points with indicated treatment. K Co-IP-western blot analysis of ELAVL1 by precipitation with IGF2BP1 antibody in MDA-MB-231 cell. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001

From analysis of TCGA-BRCA datasets, IGF2BP1 was confirmed to be highly expressed in breast cancer (Fig. 6A and B). Furthermore, high IGF2BP1 expression indicated a poor relapse survival rate (Fig. 6C). Q-PCR and western blot analysis indicated that IGF2BP1 was highly expressed in breast cancer cells compared to normal cell (Fig. 6D and E), implying that IGF2BP1 was positively correlated to breast cancer. In breast cancer patients, IGF2BP1 was also validated had a higher expression compared to adjacent normal tissues (Fig. 6F and G). Smaller tumors were observed in xenograft model injected with MDA-MB-231 cells transfected IGF2BP1 siRNA (Fig. 6H). Silencing IGF2BP1 significantly repressed MIR210HG expression in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells (Fig. 6I). In conclusion, IGF2BP1 induces MIR210HG through m6A modification, through which IGF2BP1 functions as an oncogene in breast cancer.

Fig. 6.

Fig. 6

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IGF2BP1 is up-regulated in breast cancer. A and B Unpaired and paired analysis of IGF2BP1 expression in TCGA-BRCA. In unpaired analysis, 1109 tumor samples and 113 normal samples were included. In paired analysis, 112 tumor samples and 112 normal samples were included. C Overall survival rate of breast cancer patients with different IGF2BP1 expression level were analyzed based on TCGA-BRCA dataset. High IGF2BP1 expression was indicated as a red line and low IGF2BP1 expression was indicated as a blue line. D and E q-PCR analysis and western blot analysis of miR-210 expression in five indicated breast cancer cell lines compared to 76 N-F2V cell. F q-PCR analysis of miR-210 expression in breast cancer tissues compared to adjacent tissues from 10 patients. G Expression of IGF2BP1 was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) of 6 specimens of breast cancer patients. Scar bars: 100 μm. H Xenograft tumors of 2 groups: scrambled siRNA MDA-MB-231 cell; IGF2BP1 siRNA MDA-MB-231 cell. I q-PCR analysis on MIR210HG when IGF2BP1 was silenced performed in breast cancer cells. **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001

MYCN regulates MIR210HG via IGF2BP1

MYC family has been identified playing critical roles in tumorigenesis by serving as transcription factor, which activates numerous oncogenes by directly binding E-box. In addition, previous studies showed MYC is also regulated by m6A modification. Here, we focused on the transcription ability of MYC family on m6A modification regulators. From Cistrome DB tool, we confirmed that there was one E-box binding motif (CACGTG) under the MYCN enriched peaks in IGF2BP1 promoter (Fig. 7A), which indicated MYCN is a potential transcription factor of IGF2BP1. Clinical relevance analysis revealed that MYCN was up-regulated in tumor tissues (Fig. 7B and C). In addition, the expression of IGF2BP1 was identified positively correlated to MYCN expression in breast cancer (Fig. 7D). Therefore, combining previous studies, MYCN is an oncogene in breast cancer. Next, we performed q-ChIP analysis to validate the target between MYCN and IGF2BP1. Indeed, IGF2BP1 was enriched in the MYCN occupancy site (Fig. 7E). Then luciferase reporter assay was performed following the indicated mutation strategy in IGF2BP1 promoter (Fig. 7F). Mutation in binding site resulted in a significantly repressed luciferase activity (Fig. 7G) in generated MYCN overexpression MCF-7 cell with inducible vector (MCF-7MYCN−HA−OV). q-PCR analysis showed DOX induced MYCN increased IGF2BP1 expression (Fig. 7H) in a time dependent manner. The similar results can also be observed in western blot analysis (Fig. 7I). Of note, ectopic MYCN expression resulted in increased tumor volume and weight in xenograft model but IGF2BP1 silencing largely abrogated this effect (Fig. 7J–L). In summary, MYCN functions as a transcription factor of IGF2BP1, which induces IGF2BP1 expression and promotes breast cancer progression.

Fig. 7.

Fig. 7

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MYCN regulates MIR210HG via IGF2BP1. A MYCN ChIP-Seq analysis on IGF2BP1 promoter. Three independent ChIP-Seq datasets were obtained from Cistrome DB. E-box was indicated in IGF2BP1 genome scheme. B and C Unpaired and paired analysis of MYCN expression in TCGA-BRCA. In unpaired analysis, 1109 tumor samples and 113 normal samples were included. In paired analysis, 112 tumor samples and 112 normal samples were included. D Pearson correlation analysis between MYCN expression and IGF2BP1 expression in breast cancer patients. E MYCN-IGF2BP1 target was validated by q-ChIP analysis. F Mutation strategy of E-Box in IGF2BP1 promoter for luciferase assay. G MYCN-IGF2BP1 target was validated by luciferase assay analysis. H and I q-PCR and western blot analysis on IGF2BP1 when MYCN was induced by DOX in MCF-7MYCN−HA−OV cell. J Xenograft tumors of 4 groups: scrambled siRNA and Dox treated 231MYCN−HA−OV cell; IGF2BP1 siRNA and Dox treated 231MYCN−HA−OV cell; scrambled siRNA 231MYCN−HA−OV cell; IGF2BP1 siRNA 231MYCN−HA−OV cell. K and L Xenograft tumor weight and volume were measured. M q-PCR analysis on MIR210HG after MYCN was induced by Dox treatment in MCF-7MYCN−HA−OV cell. N Western blot analysis on IGF2BP1 with indicated treatments. O q-PCR analysis on MIR210HG and miR-210 after treated with DOX or IGF2BP1 siRNA as indicated in MCF-7MYCN−HA−OV cell. P Pearson correlation analysis between MYCN expression and MIR210HG expression in breast cancer patients. **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001

Since we confirmed that IGF2BP1 is a direct target of MYCN, next, the potential regulation between MYCN and MIR210HG was investigated. q-PCR analysis showed that MYCN activation increased MIR210HG expression (Fig. 7M). To investigate whether IGF2BP1 mediated the function of MYCN on MIR210HG, IGF2BP1 was knocked down achieved by siRNA pool in MCF-7MYCN−HA−OV cell (Fig. 7N). MYCN activation induced MIR210HG expression but this effect was largely abrogated by IGF2BP1 knocking down (Fig. 7O). The similar results can also be observed in miR-210 expression pattern (Fig. 7O). In addition, clinical relevance data showed that MIR210HG expression was positively correlated to MYCN expression in breast cancer (Fig. 7P). Therefore, both miR-210 and MIR210HG are regulated by MYCN, which is mediated by IGF2BP1.

Discussion

In this study, we demonstrated that MIR210HG was induced by IGF2BP1 through m6A modification in breast cancer. Downstream miR-210 was identified critical for MIR210HG function. In addition, MYCN was characterized as a transcription factor that activated IGF2BP1 expression and regulated MIR210HG (summarized in Fig. 8). Emerging evidence suggests that m6A modification is involved in proliferation, metastasis and tumorigenesis of breast cancer [17]. IGF2BP1 is an RNA binding protein functions as a “reader” in m6A modification. Previous studies have shown IGF2BP1 contributes to the stabilization of IGF2BP-RNA complexes via KH1/2 domain [18]. Interestingly, MYC mRNA is stabilized by IGF2BP1 [16], which results in an oncogenic role of IGF2BP1. Here, we confirmed that the lncRNA MIR210HG is increased by IGF2BP1 through m6A methylation and direct binding. Actually, MIR210HG has been reported to function as an oncogene in different cancers [19–21]. Through sponging miRNAs, MIR210HG promotes tumor proliferation, metastasis and in some cases, is involved in energy metabolism in cancer. In line with the results of previous researches, here we validated MIR210HG promoted proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer by using both cellular experiments and xenograft model. More importantly, its encoded miR-210 mediated MIR210HG function, which suggests that MIR210HG/miR-210 axis is critical in breast cancer progression. However it is still unclear the changes of gene expression when MIR210HG is completely knocked out in vivo. Therefore, based on our current results, it is interesting to include transgenic mice to perform RNA-Seq analysis with different MIR210HG status. In breast cancer, other studies reveal miR-210 is regulated by hypoxia via HIF-1α/VHL transcriptional system [22]. Therefore, we suppose that MIR210HG/miR-210 is also involved hypoxia regulation but it needs further validation.

Fig. 8.

Fig. 8

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Regulation model of MYCN/IGF2BP1/MIR210HG axis in breast cancer progression. MIR210HG is an oncogenic lncRNA which promotes breast cancer progression. miR-210 mediates MIR210HG function and IGF2BP1 mediated m6A regulation induces MIR210HG expression. Furthermore, IGF2BP1 is a direct target of MYCN. MIR210HG/miR-210 is also induced by MYCN dependent on IGF2BP1

In this study, it is the first time that MIR210HG-m6A modification to be investigated. The confirmed interaction of IGF2BP1 and MIR210HG provides an extended explanation of the molecular mechanism in breast cancer progression. Recent studies identify that m6A modification is one of the important ways on oncogene regulation. As a m6A reader, IGF2BP1 stabilizes mRNA such as SRF to promote cell growth and invasion in ovarian and liver cancer [23]. In our study, MIR210HG was stabilized by IGF2BP1, indicating MIR210HG is induced by two ways via m6A modification. Previous studies have identified that several co-factors of IGF2BPs enhance the stability of mRNA [16]. Here, we confirmed that ELAVL1, one of the co-factors of IGF2BPs, is involved in maintaining MIR210HG together with IGF2BP1. Therefore, MIR210HG stability is controlled by a protein complex containing both IGF2BP1 and ELAVL1. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to clarify the reason that ELAVL1 is induced in breast cancer. In addition, there were other m6A mediators including YTHDFs predicted to be involved in MIR210HG m6A regulation. Therefore, MIR210HG is possibly located in a more complicated m6A regulation mediated by multiple regulators. However, it needs further validation to describe the whole landscape of MIR210HG m6A modification.

Interestingly, we further confirmed that MYCN is a transcription factor of IGF2BP1, which induces IGF2BP1 and downstream MIR210HG/miR-210 expression. Many studies have shown MYCN and c-MYC directly regulate genes as transcription factors regulating multiple biological or pathological processes such as cell growth, cell cycle, metastasis and DNA damage [24]. Hence, IGF2BP1-MIR210HG/miR-210 axis provides an alternative explanation that MYCN is an oncogene in breast cancer. Of note, MYC has been identified to be regulated and stabilized by IGF2BP1 [16]. Therefore, the stimulation of MYC-IGF2BP1 may form a positive feedback loop, which may further induce MIR210HG/miR-210 downstream. The positive hypothesis is still needed further experimental validation. Collectively, MYCN/IGF2BP1 target provides a prerequisite condition for MIR210HG m6A modification by IGF2BP1. Meanwhile, IGF2BP1/MIR210HG/miR-210 regulatory axis mediates the tumorigenesis role of MYCN in breast cancer.

In summary, MIR210HG functions as an oncogenic lncRNA in breast cancer, which is also mediated by its encoded miR-210. In addition, both IGF2BP1 and ELAVL1 enhance the stability of MIR210HG, which contributes to the progression of breast cancer. Interestingly, IGF2BP1 is directly activated by MYCN, which explains the oncogenic role of MYCN. These findings clarify the m6A regulation related molecular mechanism of breast cancer progression. The MYCN/IGF2BP1/MIR210HG axis may serve as an alternative molecular mechanism of breast cancer progression.

Supplementary Information

13578_2022_772_MOESM1_ESM.docx (1.1MB, docx)

Additional file 1: File 1. Table S1. Primers used in q-PCR analysis. Table S2. Primary antibodies used in western blot, q-ChIP and IHC. Table S3. Primers used in liciferase assay. Table S4. Primers used in qChIP analysis. File 2. Original gels.

Acknowledgements

We thank Pathology Department of IPMCH for technical support in IHC with human samples.

Abbreviations

TCGA

The Cancer Genome Atlas

MIR210HG

MIR210 host gene

IGF2BP1

Insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 1

MYCN

MYCN proto-oncogene, bHLH transcription factor

BRCA

Breast cancer

q-ChIP

Chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative PCR

Authors' contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. WS conceived and designed whole study, performed bioinformatic analysis, analyzed the obtained results and wrote the paper; YT and JL performed experiments with cell lines and mice, analyzed the results; YZ performed experiments with human samples, JW conceived and supervised the study, planned experiments and wrote the paper. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

This study was supported by Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty (No. shslczdzk06302) and SJTU funding (YG2019QNA09).

Availability of data and materials

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files.

Declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The clinical samples used to study were collected from Department of Galactophore in The International Peace Maternal and Child Health Hospital (IPMCH), and were supervised by the Medical Science Ethic Committee of IPMCH. All the mice were used in accordance with the animal experimental guidelines and approved by the Medical Science Ethic Committee of IPMCH. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.

Footnotes

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Supplementary Materials

13578_2022_772_MOESM1_ESM.docx (1.1MB, docx)

Additional file 1: File 1. Table S1. Primers used in q-PCR analysis. Table S2. Primary antibodies used in western blot, q-ChIP and IHC. Table S3. Primers used in liciferase assay. Table S4. Primers used in qChIP analysis. File 2. Original gels.

Data Availability Statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files.

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