Jie Bao1, Xiaoqi Chen2, Yuge Hou1, Gailing Kang1, Qiaoli Li1, Yun Xu3. 1. Department of Digestive Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China. 2. Department of Digestive Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of TCM, Zhengzhou, 450000, China. 3. Department of Digestive Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China. Electronic address: cnkindy11@sohu.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: It has been reported that dysregulated lncRNAs are associated with the pathogenesis of human tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). LncRNA DBH-AS1 was reported to be an oncogene in HCC. However, the molecular mechanisms of DBH-AS1 in HCC progression are largely undefined. METHODS: The expressions of DBH-AS1 and miR-138 in HCC tissues and cells were examined by qRT-PCR. The effects of DBH-AS1 and miR-138 on cell viability, colony formation, apoptosis, and FAK/Src/ERK signaling pathway were determined by CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, and western blot analyses, respectively. Luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were used to explore the interaction between miR-138 and DBH-AS1. Tumor xenograft assay was performed to confirm the function and mechanism of DBH-AS1 in the progression of HCC in vivo. RESULTS: DBH-AS1 expression was upregulated and miR-138 expression was downregulated in HCC tissues and cells. DBH-AS1 silencing and miR-138 overexpression reduced cell viability, inhibited colony formation, and induced apoptosis. Moreover, DBH-AS1 acted as a molecular sponge of miR-138 to downregulate miR-138 expression. Also, DBH-AS1 overexpression attenuated miR-138-mediated anti-proliferation and pro-apoptosis effects. Additionally, miR-138 overexpression gave rise to a blockage on FAK/Src/ERK pathway, while this effect was undermined by increased DBH-AS1. Furthermore, DBH-AS1 promoted tumor growth and induced the activation of FAK/Src/ERK pathway by targeting miR-138 in vivo. CONCLUSION: DBH-AS1 facilitated the development of HCC via miR-138/FAK/Src/ERK pathway, establishing the molecular basis of DBH-AS1 in clinical application for HCC.
BACKGROUND: It has been reported that dysregulated lncRNAs are associated with the pathogenesis of humantumors including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). LncRNA DBH-AS1 was reported to be an oncogene in HCC. However, the molecular mechanisms of DBH-AS1 in HCC progression are largely undefined. METHODS: The expressions of DBH-AS1 and miR-138 in HCC tissues and cells were examined by qRT-PCR. The effects of DBH-AS1 and miR-138 on cell viability, colony formation, apoptosis, and FAK/Src/ERK signaling pathway were determined by CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, and western blot analyses, respectively. Luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were used to explore the interaction between miR-138 and DBH-AS1. Tumor xenograft assay was performed to confirm the function and mechanism of DBH-AS1 in the progression of HCC in vivo. RESULTS:DBH-AS1 expression was upregulated and miR-138 expression was downregulated in HCC tissues and cells. DBH-AS1 silencing and miR-138 overexpression reduced cell viability, inhibited colony formation, and induced apoptosis. Moreover, DBH-AS1 acted as a molecular sponge of miR-138 to downregulate miR-138 expression. Also, DBH-AS1 overexpression attenuated miR-138-mediated anti-proliferation and pro-apoptosis effects. Additionally, miR-138 overexpression gave rise to a blockage on FAK/Src/ERK pathway, while this effect was undermined by increased DBH-AS1. Furthermore, DBH-AS1 promoted tumor growth and induced the activation of FAK/Src/ERK pathway by targeting miR-138 in vivo. CONCLUSION:DBH-AS1 facilitated the development of HCC via miR-138/FAK/Src/ERK pathway, establishing the molecular basis of DBH-AS1 in clinical application for HCC.