LncRNA DBH-AS1 facilitates the tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting miR-138 via FAK/Src/ERK pathway.

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. 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. 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. 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.

Bao J ，Chen X ，Hou Y ，Kang G ，Li Q ，Xu Y ... -  《-》

A novel lncRNA MCM3AP-AS1 promotes the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting miR-194-5p/FOXA1 axis.

Wang Y ，Yang L ，Chen T ，Liu X ，Guo Y ，Zhu Q ，Tong X ，Yang W ，Xu Q ，Huang D ，Tu K ... -  《Molecular Cancer》

LncRNA DARS-AS1 aggravates the growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma via regulating the miR-3200-5p-Cytoskeleton associated protein 2 (CKAP2) axis.

Feng Y ，Wei G ，Zhang L ，Zhou H ，Wang W ，Guo P ，Cheng C ，Ji L ，Cai Q ，Feng Y ，Tu H ... -  《-》

HBx-related long non-coding RNA DBH-AS1 promotes cell proliferation and survival by activating MAPK signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Huang JL ，Ren TY ，Cao SW ，Zheng SH ，Hu XM ，Hu YW ，Lin L ，Chen J ，Zheng L ，Wang Q ... -  《Oncotarget》

Long non-coding RNA F11-AS1 inhibits HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma progression by regulating NR1I3 via binding to microRNA-211-5p.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) could regulate growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we aimed to investigate the mechanism of lncRNA F11-AS1 in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC. The relation of lncRNA F11-AS1 expression in HBV-related HCC tissues to prognosis was analysed in silico. Stably HBV-expressing HepG2.2.15 cells were established to explore the regulation of lncRNA F11-AS1 by HBx protein, as well as to study the effects of overexpressed lncRNA F11-AS1 on proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis in vitro. Subsequently, the underlying interactions and roles of lncRNA F11-AS1/miR-211-5p/NR1I3 axis in HBV-related HCC were investigated. Additionally, the influence of lncRNA F11-AS1 and miR-211-5p on tumour growth and metastasis capacity of HepG2.2.15 cells were studied on tumour-bearing nude mice. Poor expression of lncRNA F11-AS1 was correlated with poor prognosis in patients with HBV-related HCC, and its down-regulation was caused by the HBx protein. lncRNA F11-AS1 was proved to up-regulate the NR1I3 expression by binding to miR-211-5p. Overexpression of lncRNA F11-AS1 reduced the proliferation, migration and invasion, yet induced apoptosis of HepG2.2.15 cells in vitro, which could be abolished by overexpression of miR-211-5p. Additionally, either lncRNA F11-AS1 overexpression or miR-211-5p inhibition attenuated the tumour growth and metastasis capacity of HepG2.2.15 cells in vivo. Collectively, lncRNA F11-AS1 acted as a modulator of miR-211-5p to positively regulate the expression of NR1I3, and the lncRNA F11-AS1/miR-211-5p/NR1I3 axis participated in HBV-related HCC progression via interference with the cellular physiology of HCC.

Deng Y ，Wei Z ，Huang M ，Xu G ，Wei W ，Peng B ，Nong S ，Qin H ... -  《-》