Long non‑coding RNA TP73 antisense RNA 1 facilitates the proliferation and migration of cervical cancer cells via regulating microRNA‑607/cyclin D2.

The present study aimed to explore the effect of the long non‑coding RNA TP73 antisense RNA 1 (TP73‑AS1) on cervical cancer progression. Cervical cancer and adjacent tissues were collected from 56 patients and assessed. In addition, HeLa and CaSki cells were transfected with various plasmids, inhibitors and corresponding controls, and then Cell Counting Kit‑8 and Transwell assays were used to detect the cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities. Luciferase reporter gene assay was also performed in HeLa cells. Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR) was used to investigate TP73‑AS1, microRNA‑607 (miR‑607) and cyclin D2 (CCND2) gene expression, while CCND2 protein expression was determined by western blot analysis. The results revealed that the TP73‑AS1 level was upregulated in cervical cancer tissues (P<0.05) and predicted a poor 5‑year overall survival (P<0.05). HeLa and CaSki cells transfected with siTP73‑AS1 exhibited reduced proliferation, migration and invasion abilities when compared with those in the siNC group (P<0.05). Furthermore, miR‑607 was found to be negatively regulated by TP73‑AS1, while CCND2 was negatively regulated by miR‑607. HeLa and CaSki cells transfected with siTP73‑AS1 exhibited lower CCND2 mRNA and protein expression levels compared with the siNC and siTP73‑AS1 + miR‑inhibitor groups (P<0.05). Compared with the siNC and siTP73‑AS1 + CCND2 overexpression groups, siTP73‑AS1‑transfected HeLa and CaSki cells had decreased proliferation, migration and invasion abilities (P<0.05). In conclusion, the findings suggested that upregulation of TP73‑AS1 promoted cervical cancer progression by promoting CCND2 via the suppression of miR‑607 expression.