Long noncoding RNA DANCR promotes colorectal cancer proliferation and metastasis via miR-577 sponging

Yong Wang,Junjie Zhang,Xiandong Zeng,Wei Zhao,Zhi Lu,Lan Luan,Ningnin Wang,Jianzhou Feng

doi:10.1038/s12276-018-0082-5

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in various malignant tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Long non-coding RNA differentiation antagonizing non-protein coding RNA (DANCR) is overexpressed in CRC patients, but whether it affects CRC proliferation and metastasis via regulation of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) remains unclear. In the present study, we found that DANCR was highly expressed and correlated with proliferation and metastasis in CRC. In addition, we demonstrated that DANCR and HSP27 were both targets of microRNA-577 (miR-577) and shared the same binding site. Furthermore, we revealed that DANCR promoted HSP27 expression and its mediation of proliferation/metastasis via miR-577 sponging. Finally, using an in vivo study, we confirmed that overexpression of DANCR promoted CRC tumor growth and liver metastasis. The present study demonstrated the function of DANCR in CRC and might provide a new target in the treatment of CRC.

Highlights

As the third most common cancer, colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide[1]
Discussion Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of endogenous RNA molecules that contain 200–100,000 nucleotides and are involved in the regulation of gene expression at the epigenetic, transcriptional and post‐transcriptional levels in the form of RNA24. lncRNAs exert their functions to regulate gene expression and chromatin structure in the following ways: decoy effect, scaffold effect and post‐transcriptional effect[25]
Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) is a member of the small heat shock protein family, and over-expression of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) is associated with promoting drug resistance, aggressive cancers, metastasis, and poor patient outcomes[29]

Summary

Introduction

As the third most common cancer, colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide[1]. It has been reported that approximately more than a half of CRC patients die from distant metastasis, especially liver metastasis[2,3,4]. Most CRC patients with already existing liver metastasis are not suitable for surgical treatment and have a 5-year survival rate of

Methods

Results

Conclusion