LncRNA ZEB1-AS1 regulates hepatocellular carcinoma progression by targeting miR-23c.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

It has been reported that long-chain non-coding RNA (lncRNA) zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 antisense 1 (ZEB1-AS1) is an oncogene in various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the role and mechanism of ZEB1-AS1 as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) combined with miR-23c in HCC cell proliferation and invasion.

METHODS:

QRT-PCR was used to detect ZEB1-AS1 and miR-23c expressions in HCC tissues and cells. The dual luciferase reporter assay detected the targeted regulation of miR-23c and ZEB1-AS1. We also performed the correlation analysis of their expression in HCC tissues by the Spearman's correlation analysis. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to detect the proliferation of hepatoma cells. Cell invasion was assessed by the Transwell assay.

RESULTS:

QRT-PCR results indicated ZEB1-AS1 was upregulated and miR-23c was downregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. ZEB1-AS1 knockdown hampered the proliferation and invasion of HCC cells. Dual luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-23c is a target of ZEB1-AS1, and ZEB1-AS1 was significantly negatively correlated with the miR-23c expression in HCC tissues. The results of MTT and Transwell assay showed that miR-23c inhibition restored the inhibitory effect of ZEB1-AS1 knockdown on HCC cells proliferation and invasion.

CONCLUSIONS:

As a ceRNA, lncRNA ZEB1-AS1 may play a vital role in inhibiting HCC progression through miR-23c, which will provide new clues and theoretical basis for the HCC diagnosis and treatment.

• Authors: Shuai Xue, Fengqin Lu, Chunhui Sun, Jingjing Zhao, Honghua Zhen, Xin Li
• Journal: World journal of surgical oncology (World J Surg Oncol) Vol. 19 Issue 1 Pg. 121 (Apr 17 2021) ISSN: 1477-7819 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 33865414 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• MicroRNAs
• RNA, Long Noncoding
• ZEB1 protein, human
• Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1

Topics

• Apoptosis (genetics)
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (genetics, pathology)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Proliferation (genetics)
• Disease Progression
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• Humans
• Liver Neoplasms (genetics, pathology)
• MicroRNAs (genetics)
• Prognosis
• RNA, Long Noncoding (genetics)
• Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1 (genetics)