Long Noncoding RNA NR2F1-AS1 Enhances the Migration and Invasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Modulating miR-642a/DEK Pathway.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a malignant tumor that exists worldwide, has a high morbidity and mortality rate. Previous studies have reported that lncRNA NR2F1-AS1 plays a critical role in several cancers. Here, we aimed to investigate the biological function of NR2F1-AS1 and its molecular mechanism in the migration and invasion of HCC.

METHODS:

Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to analyze NR2F1-AS1 expression in HCC. The biological function was investigated by transwell invasion and migration assays. The protein level was identified by Western blot. In addition, the downstream targets of NR2F1-AS1 and miR-642a were confirmed by luciferase reporter assays.

RESULTS:

NR2F1-AS1 was significantly upregulated in HCC and associated with the poor prognosis of HCC patients. Biological function experiments revealed that the silence of NR2F1-AS1 suppressed cell invasion and migration in HCC. More importantly, NR2F1-AS1 directly interacted with miR-642a and negatively regulated miR-642a. DEK was the target of miR-642a, and NR2F1-AS1 positively regulated DEK expression by suppressing miR-642a.

CONCLUSION:

Taken together, it is the first time we discovered the interaction of NR2F1-AS1 with miR-642a in modulating HCC cell invasion and migration.

• Authors: Yingxia Xu, Chunrong Han, Jing Sun, Jingjing Zhao, Qing Liu, Ping An
• Journal: Journal of oncology (J Oncol) Vol. 2021 Pg. 6868514 ( 2021) ISSN: 1687-8450 [Print] Egypt
• PMID: 34594378 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2021 Yingxia Xu et al.