Up-regulation of long non-coding RNA AWPPH inhibits proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells via miR-203a/DKK2 axis

• Published in: Human cell : official journal of Human Cell Research Society Vol. 32; no. 4; pp. 495 - 503
• Main Authors: Li, Lei, Kou, Jiguang, Zhong, Bibo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Springer Japan 01.10.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Bioinformatics; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cell Biology; Cell growth; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell proliferation; Cell Proliferation - genetics; Gastric cancer; Gene Expression; Gynecology; Humans; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - genetics; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - metabolism; Kinases; Life Sciences; Metastases; MicroRNAs - genetics; MicroRNAs - metabolism; miRNA; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplasm Invasiveness - genetics; Non-coding RNA; Oncology; Reproductive Medicine; Research Article; RNA, Long Noncoding - genetics; RNA, Long Noncoding - metabolism; RNA, Long Noncoding - physiology; Stem Cells; Stomach Neoplasms - genetics; Stomach Neoplasms - pathology; Stomach Neoplasms - therapy; Surgery; Up-Regulation; Progression; Gastric cancer; AWPPH; miR-203a; DKK2
• ISSN: 1749-0774; 0914-7470; 1749-0774
• DOI: 10.1007/s13577-019-00277-x

AWPPH is a newly discovered long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). However, the expression and function of AWPPH in gastric cancer (GC) have not yet been clarified. This study tries to assess the expression and biological roles of AWPPH in GC and the underlying mechanism. The expression of lncRNA AWPPH was evaluated in GC tissues and adjacent normal tissues from 40 patients. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) and transwell assays were applied to assess cell proliferation and invasion capabilities. Bioinformatics tool was employed to predict AWPPH’s sponging miRNA, while luciferase reporter assays were used to verify the target. LncRNA AWPPH was remarkably downregulated in GC and associated with metastasis. CCK8 and transwell assays proved that AWPPH inhibited cell proliferation and invasion in GC cells. MiR-203a was a predicted and further verified target of AWPPH. DKK2 was verified as a direct target of miR-203a. Upregulation of miR-203a attenuated the repressive effects of AWPPH on GC cell proliferation and invasion. AWPPH inhibited GC cell proliferation and invasion via miR-203a/DKK2 axis. This finding might provide new insight for the potential therapeutic strategies for GC in the future.