LncRNA DANCR-miR-758-3p-PAX6 Molecular Network Regulates Apoptosis and Autophagy of Breast Cancer Cells.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

This study set out to probe into the effects of long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) differentiation antagonizing non-protein coding RNA (DANCR) on apoptosis and autophagy of breast cancer (BC) cells.

METHODS:

The expression levels of DANCR, miR-758-3p and paired box 6 (PAX6) in BC tissues and cell lines were detected. The transcription and protein levels of PAX6, apoptosis-related factors (caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax/Bcl-2), and autophagy-related factors (LC3B, Atg5, Beclin-1) in BC cells were detected. The cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy and the regulatory relationship between genes and target genes were analyzed.

RESULTS:

DANCR and PAX6 were up-regulated in BC tissues and cell lines, while miR-758-3p was opposite. Down-regulating DANCR inhibited the malignant proliferation of BC cells and also promoted apoptosis and autophagy, which showed that caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax/Bcl-2, LC3B, Atg5 transcription and protein levels increased, while Beclin-1 transcription and protein levels decreased. DANCR regulated miR-758-3p in a targeted manner, and its over-expression could weaken the anti-cancer effect of miR-758-3p on BC cells. In addition, miR-758-3p also directly targeted PAX6, and knocking down its expression could weaken the inhibitory effect of down-regulating PAK6 on BC cell apoptosis and autophagy. We also found that DANCR acted as a competitive endogenous RNA sponge miR-758-3p, thus regulating the PAX6 expression.

CONCLUSION:

DANCR-miR-758-3p-PAX6 molecular network plays a key regulatory role in BC cell apoptosis and autophagy, which may provide reference for treating patients.

• Authors: Xian Hu Zhang, Bing Feng Li, Jie Ding, Lei Shi, Huo Ming Ren, Kui Liu, Chuan Cai Huang, Fu Xiao Ma, Xin Yao Wu
• Journal: Cancer management and research (Cancer Manag Res) Vol. 12 Pg. 4073-4084 ( 2020) ISSN: 1179-1322 [Print] New Zealand
• PMID: 32581581 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2020 Zhang et al.