LncRNA IGFL2-AS1 as a ceRNA Promotes HCT116 Cell Malignant Proliferation via the miR-433-3p/PAK4 Axis

Turk J Gastroenterol. 2023 May;34(5):497-507. doi: 10.5152/tjg.2023.21998.

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer is a common gastrointestinal malignancy worldwide. Many studies have proved that long noncoding RNA alterations participate in colorectal cancer development. This study sought to probe the regulatory mechanism of lncRNA IGF-like family member 2 antisense RNA 1 (IGFL2-AS1) in colorectal cancer cell malignant proliferation.

Methods: LncRNA IGFL2-AS1 expression in colorectal cancer cancer and para-cancerous tissues and colorectal cancer cell lines was detected via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. HCT116 cells were transfected with si-IGFL2-AS1, microRNA (miR)- 433-3p inhibitor or p21 (RAC1)-activated kinase 4, PAK4 and IGFL2-AS1 overexpression vector, followed by assessment of cell proliferation and clone formation using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and colony formation assay. The subcellular localization of lncRNA IGFL2-AS1 was predicted and testified via the nuclear/cytosol fractionation assay. The downstream miRNA of lncRNA IGFL2-AS1 and downstream target of miRNA were predicted, and their binding relationships were testified using dualluciferase assay and RNA immunoprediction experiment.

Results: LncRNA IGFL2-AS1 was abundantly expressed in colorectal cancer tissues and cells. Silencing lncRNA IGFL2-AS1 discouraged HCT116 cell malignant proliferation, while lncRNA IGFL2-AS1 overexpression played an opposite role. LncRNA IGFL2-AS1 was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm of HCT116 cells. LncRNA IGFL2-AS1 bound to miR-433-3p and inhibited its expression. miR-433-3p tar geted PAK4. Silencing lncRNA IGFL2-AS1 facilitated miR-433-3p to suppress PAK4 transcription. miR-433-3p inhibition or PAK4 overexpression partly reversed the inhibition of lncRNA IGFL2-AS1 on HCT116 cell malignant proliferation.

Conclusion: LncRNA IGFL2-AS1 was abundantly expressed in colorectal cancer tissues and cells, and comparatively bound to miR433-3p to facilitate PAK4 transcription, thus promoting HCT116 cell malignant proliferation.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • HCT116 Cells
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs* / genetics
  • MicroRNAs* / metabolism
  • RNA, Antisense / genetics
  • RNA, Long Noncoding* / genetics
  • p21-Activated Kinases / genetics
  • p21-Activated Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Antisense
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • MicroRNAs
  • PAK4 protein, human
  • p21-Activated Kinases
  • MIRN433 microRNA, human