Long non-coding RNA Z38 promotes cell proliferation and metastasis in human renal cell carcinoma.

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have been reported to serve roles in various types of malignancy, including human renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which is among the most common types of kidney cancer worldwide. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a newly‑discovered LncRNA, Z38, on cell proliferation and metastasis in RCC cells. Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to detect the transcription levels of Z38 in clinical RCC tissues and cultured RCC cells. The expression of Z38 was notably increased in patients with stage III and IVRCC compared with patients with stage I and II. Knockdown of Z38 with specific short hairpin RNAs notably decreased the proliferation rate of A498 and ACHIN cells. In addition, a colony formation assay was included to investigate the role of Z38 in cell proliferation. Transwell assays demonstrated that Z38 deprivation inhibited the migratory and invasive capability of RCC cells. The association between Z38 and the epithelial‑mesenchymal transition process was investigated using western blot analysis. The results of the present study demonstrated that Z38 may serve as an important biomarker in the diagnosis and treatment of RCC in the clinic.