A feedback loop consisting of RUNX2/LncRNA-PVT1/miR-455 is involved in the progression of colorectal cancer.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to participate in cancer progression. In the present study, we explored the potential roles of lncRNA-PVT1 in the development process of colorectal cancer (CRC) via miR-455. We found that PVT1 is up-regulated in human CRC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. A functional study showed that the silencing of PVT1 expression by siRNAs inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, whereas the overexpression of PVT1 accelerated cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. A mechanistic study indicated PVT1 regulated the growth of CRC tumors by acting as a competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) and negatively regulated miR-455. Furthermore, we discovered that RUNX2, a functional transcription factor in CRC, up-regulated PVT1 expression. Therefore, our study suggested that the RUNX2/PVT1/miR-455 regulatory axis plays an important role in CRC tumorigenesis and may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of CRC.