Long non-coding RNA Linc00675 suppresses cell proliferation and metastasis in colorectal cancer via acting on miR-942 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Substantial evidence has demonstrated the involvement of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) via their regulation on cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis pathways. The current study aimed to understand the role of lncRNA Linc00675 in the progression and metastasis of CRC and to identify the potential lncRNA-miRNA interactions and signaling pathways underlying the mechanisms of action of Linc00675 in CRC. Our data firstly demonstrated the down-regulation of Linc00675 in both CRC cells and clinical CRC tissues. Expression of Linc00675 was also relatively low in metastatic tumors and advanced tumors. Further studies also showed that overexpression of Linc00675 inhibited the proliferation, invasion and migration of CRC cells. In addition, our data also revealed the negative regulation of miR-942 by Linc00675 and the relatively higher expression of miR-942 in clinical CRC tissues. More importantly, the inhibitory effect of Linc00675 on proliferation, invasion and migration of HCT116 cells was also significantly attenuated in the presence of miR-942 mimic, suggesting that down-regulation of miR-942 represented one of the mechanisms by which Linc00675 inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of CRC. Furthermore, we also demonstrated the inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the Linc00675/miR-942 regulated pathway in CRC cells. Taken together, our findings suggested Linc00675 as a potential molecular marker and target for the diagnosis and treatment of CRC and enhanced the current understanding on the mechanisms of action of Linc00675 in CRC.