This study was aimed to explore the biological functions of long non-coding RNA activated by transforming growth factor-beta (lncRNA-ATB) in bladder cancer cells. For the expressions of lncRNA-ATB, miR-126 and KRAS, T24 cells were transfected with their specific vectors/shRNA or mimic/inhibitor. Then, cell viability, migration, invasion and apoptosis, as well as the protein levels of apoptosis-related factors and PI3K/AKT and mTOR signal pathways were measured, respectively. Further, the relationships of lncRNA-ATB and miR-126 or miR-126 and KRAS were analyzed by dual-luciferase report assay. Functional experiments showed that lncRNA-ATB overexpression significantly promoted cell viability, migration and invasion in T24 cells. Then, lncRNA-ATB was a molecular sponge of miR-126, and exerted tumor promoting effects by down-regulation of miR-126. Moreover, KRAS was a direct target of miR-126, and negatively regulated by miR-126. Finally, overexpression of KRAS increased cell viability, migration and invasion, as well as activated PI3K/AKT and mTOR signal pathways in T24 cells. The results revealed that lncRNA-ATB was an oncogene, which promoted cell proliferation, migration and invasion by regulating miR-126 in bladder cancer. These findings may provide a potential prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target for bladder cancer.
Oncology research. 2018 Jan 10 [Epub ahead of print]
Xingquan Zhai, Wei Xu
Department of Urology, Zoucheng People's Hospital, Zoucheng, Shandong 273500, China.