Long Intergenic Noncoding RNA 00152 Promotes Glioma Cell Proliferation and Invasion by Interacting with MiR-16

Abstract

Background/Aims: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a novel class of protein-noncoding transcripts that are aberrantly expressed in multiple diseases including cancers. LINC00152 has been identified as an oncogene involved in many kinds of cancer; however, its expression pattern and function in human glioma remain unclear. Methods: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was carried out to measure LINC00152 expression in human glioma cell lines and tissues. CCK-8 and EdU assays were performed to assess cell proliferation, and scratch assays and Transwell assays were used to assess cell migration and invasion, respectively. Luciferase reporter assays were carried out to determine the interaction between miR-16 and LINC00152. In vivo experiments were conducted to assess tumor formation. Results: LINC00152 was found to be significantly upregulated in human glioma cell lines and clinical samples. Knockdown of LINC00152 suppressed glioma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. In vivo assays in nude mice confirmed that LINC00152 knockdown inhibits tumor growth. Furthermore, mechanistic investigation showed that LINC00152 binds to miR-16 in a sequence-specific manner and suppresses its expression. miR-16 inhibition strongly attenuated LINC00152 knockdown–mediated suppressive effects on proliferation, migration, and invasion. Moreover, LINC00152 induced BMI1 expression by sponging miR-16; this effect further promoted glioma cell proliferation and invasion. Conclusion: We regard LINC00152 as an oncogenic lncRNA promoting glioma cell proliferation and invasion and as a potential target for human glioma treatment.