Long Noncoding RNA Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression via Targeting miR-590-3p/ Axis.

INTRODUCTION

In East Asia, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancer types. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) prostate androgen-regulated transcript 1 () was reported to play crucial roles in regulating cancer progression. However, roles and mechanisms of action of in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still remain unknown.

METHODS

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method was used to detect the expression level in HCC cells. Cell proliferation, colony formation, and transwell invasion assays were performed to investigate the biological roles of on HCC cell behaviors. Bioinformatic analysis methods were performed to analyze connections of microRNA-590-3p (miR-590-3p) with or high mobility group box 2 () in HCC. Moreover, expression levels of , miR-590-3p, and in HCC tissues and normal tissues were analyzed at ENCORI.

RESULTS

expression was found to be significantly upregulated in HCC tissues and cells. Functionally, silencing of significantly suppressed HCC cell proliferation, colony formation and invasion in vitro, while forcing exerts opposite biological effects. Mechanically, miR-590-3p/ axis was downstream target of , and silencing of miR-590-3p or forcing of could rescue the stimulation effects of overexpression on HCC cell behaviors.

DISCUSSION

Our results provided evidence that serves as oncogenic lncRNA through sponging miR-590-3p to upregulate expression in HCC.