LncRNA MYLK-AS1 acts as an oncogene by epigenetically silencing large tumor suppressor 2 (LATS2) in gastric cancer

Abstract

ABSTRACT Extensive studies showed the vital function of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the pathological and physiological progression of tumors. Previous evidence has indicated that lncRNA MYLK Antisense RNA 1 (MYLK-AS1) acts as an oncogene to facilitate the progression of several tumors. Nevertheless, little is known about its biological role in gastric cancer (GC). Our report intended to probe the underlying mechanism and function of MYLK-AS1 in GC. Results revealed that MYLK-AS1 showed an upregulated level in GC. It was worth mentioning that upregulated MYLK-AS1 caused the unfavorable clinical outcome in GC patients. Functional assays indicated that MYLK-AS1 silencing retarded the proliferation, cell cycle, migration, and invasion in GC. Besides, in vivo assay validated that MYLK-AS1 deficiency also restrained tumor growth. Through in-depth mechanism exploration, MYLK-AS1 was uncovered to bind with wnhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), an epigenetic inhibitor, to inhibit the level of Large Tumor Suppressor 2 (LATS2), thereby exerting carcinogenicity. Conclusively, our research highlighted the importance of MYLK-AS1 in GC, indicating that MYLK-AS1 might be an effective biomarker for GC.