LncRNA GATA2-AS1 suppresses esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression via the mir-940/PTPN12 axis.

Abstract

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exhibit a regulatory role in the progression of ESCC. Our research was performed to investigate the potential molecular mechanism of lncRNA GATA2-AS1 in ESCC.

METHODS:

The expression of GATA2-AS1 was identified by qRT-PCR. Cell function assays explored the potential effect of GATA2-AS1 on ESCC progression. The subcellular hierarchical localization method was executed to identify the subcellular localization of GATA2-AS1 in ESCC cells. A prediction website was utilized to discover the relationships among GATA2-AS1, miR-940 and PTPN12. Dual luciferase reporter gene, pull-down assays and RIP assays were executed to verify the binding activity among GATA2-AS1, miR-940 and PTPN12. Xenograft tumor experiments were performed to evaluate ESCC cell growth in vivo.

RESULTS:

The expression of GATA2-AS1 and PTPN12 was reduced, while miR-940 expression was enhanced in ESCC tissues and cell lines. In vivo experiments showed that GATA2-AS1 inhibited the progression of ESCC cells toward malignancy. Bioinformatics analysis, dual luciferase and RIP assays revealed that GATA2-AS1 upregulated PTPN12 expression by competitively targeting miR-940. miR-940 reversed the inhibitory effect of GATA2-AS1 on the biological behavior of ESCC cells.

CONCLUSION:

Our findings suggested that GATA2-AS1, expressed at low levels in ESCC, plays a crucial role in the progression of ESCC by targeting the miR-940/PTPN12 axis and could be a potential drug target to treat ESCC patients.

• Authors: Yunfeng Niu, Yanli Guo, Yan Li, Supeng Shen, Jia Liang, Wei Guo, Zhiming Dong
• Journal: Experimental cell research (Exp Cell Res) Vol. 416 Issue 2 Pg. 113130 (07 15 2022) ISSN: 1090-2422 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 35364057 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Chemical References

• MIRN940 microRNA, human
• MicroRNAs
• RNA, Long Noncoding
• PTPN12 protein, human
• Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 12

Topics

• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Proliferation (genetics)
• Esophageal Neoplasms (pathology)
• Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (pathology)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• Humans
• MicroRNAs (genetics, metabolism)
• Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 12 (genetics, metabolism)
• RNA, Long Noncoding (genetics, metabolism)