The molecular mechanism of long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) RUNX1-IT1 promotes the proliferation and stemness of lung cancer cells.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

This study sought to explore the role of long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) RUNX1-IT1 in lung cancer proliferation and cell stemness and clarify its molecular mechanism.

METHODS:

Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression levels of lncRNA RUNX1-IT1 in lung cancer cell lines and tissues. Cell Counting Kit 8, a plate cloning experiment, a cell suspension sphere-forming assay and a Transwell assay were used to identify the effects of lncRNA RUNX1-IT1 overexpression or down-expression on clone formation, cell progression, cell stemness, and invasion. Western blot was used to detect the expression of associated proteins that regulate cell invasion and stemness.

RESULTS:

Low expression levels of lncRNA RUNX1-IT1 were detected in the cancerous lung cells and tissues. The overexpression of lncRNA RUNX1-IT1 significantly restricted the ability of cells to proliferate, produce clones, form spheres, and invade lung cancer cells, while the knockdown of lncRNA RUNX1-IT1 had the opposite effect. The findings of the Western blot assessment showed that the overexpression or knockdown of lncRNA RUNX1-IT1 significantly affected the expression of cluster of differentiation 44, cluster of differentiation 133, sex-determining region Y-box 2, octamer-binding transcription factor 4, and Nanog, and regulated the sphere-forming ability of cells. Additionally, the overexpression or knockdown of lncRNA RUNX1-IT1 regulated the invasion ability of cells by affecting expressions of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Vimentin.

CONCLUSIONS:

The poor expression, overexpression, or knockdown of lncRNA RUNX1-IT1 affects the stemness and invasion ability of lung cancer cells.

• Authors: Yajun Miao, Tao Li, Yufei Liu, Yong Yu, Jianqiu Wu
• Journal: Translational cancer research (Transl Cancer Res) Vol. 10 Issue 11 Pg. 4884-4893 (Nov 2021) ISSN: 2219-6803 [Electronic] China
• PMID: 35116340 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: 2021 Translational Cancer Research. All rights reserved.