Long non-coding RNA Lnc-408 promotes invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cell by regulating LIMK1

Oncogene. 2021 Jun;40(24):4198-4213. doi: 10.1038/s41388-021-01845-y. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

Abstract

Invasion and metastasis are the leading causes of death in patients with breast cancer (BC), and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) plays an essential role in this process. Here, we found that Lnc-408, a novel long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), is significantly upregulated in BC cells undergoing EMT and in BC tumor with lymphatic metastases compared with those without lymphatic metastases. Lnc-408 can enhance BC invasion and metastasis by regulating the expression of LIMK1. Mechanistically, Lnc-408 serves as a sponge for miR-654-5p to relieve the suppression of miR-654-5p on its target LIMK1. Knockdown or knockout of Lnc-408 in invasive BC cells clearly decreased LIMK1 levels, and ectopic Lnc-408 in MCF-7 cells increased LIMK1 expression to promote cell invasion. Lnc-408-mediated enhancement of LIMK1 plays a key role in cytoskeletal stability and promotes invadopodium formation in BC cells via p-cofilin/F-actin. In addition, the increased LIMK1 also facilitates the expression of MMP2, ITGB1, and COL1A1 by phosphorylating CREB. In conclusion, our findings reveal that Lnc-408 promotes BC invasion and metastasis via the Lnc-408/miR-654-5p/LIMK1 axis, highlighting a novel promising target for the diagnosis and treatment of BC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics*
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Humans
  • Lim Kinases / genetics*
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / pathology
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics*
  • Up-Regulation / genetics

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • LIMK1 protein, human
  • Lim Kinases