A Circle RNA Regulatory Axis Promotes Lung Squamous Metastasis via CDR1-Mediated Regulation of Golgi Trafficking.

Harrison EB, Porrello A, Bowman BM, Belanger AR, Yacovone G, Azam SH, Windham IA, Ghosh SK, Wang M, Mckenzie N, Waugh TA, Van Swearingen AED, Cohen SM, Allen DG, Goodwin TJ, Mascenik T, Bear JE, Cohen S, Randell SH, Massion PP, Major MB, Huang L, Pecot CV. A Circle RNA Regulatory Axis Promotes Lung Squamous Metastasis via CDR1-Mediated Regulation of Golgi Trafficking. Cancer research. 2020 Nov 15;80(80). 4972-4985. PMID: 32978168 [PubMed] PMCID: PMC7669576 NIHMSID: NIHMS1631834.

Abstract

Lung squamous carcinoma (LUSC) is a highly metastatic disease with a poor prognosis. Using an integrated screening approach, we found that miR-671-5p reduces LUSC metastasis by inhibiting a circular RNA (circRNA), CDR1as. Although the putative function of circRNA is through miRNA sponging, we found that miR-671-5p more potently silenced an axis of CDR1as and its antisense transcript, cerebellar degeneration related protein 1 (CDR1). Silencing of CDR1as or CDR1 significantly inhibited LUSC metastases and CDR1 was sufficient to promote migration and metastases. CDR1, which directly interacted with adaptor protein 1 (AP1) complex subunits and coatomer protein I (COPI) proteins, no longer promoted migration upon blockade of Golgi trafficking. Therapeutic inhibition of the CDR1as/CDR1 axis with miR-671-5p mimics reduced metastasis . This report demonstrates a novel role for CDR1 in promoting metastasis and Golgi trafficking. These findings reveal an miRNA/circRNA axis that regulates LUSC metastases through a previously unstudied protein, CDR1. SIGNIFICANCE: This study shows that circRNA, CDR1as, promotes lung squamous migration, metastasis, and Golgi trafficking through its complimentary transcript, CDR1.