Abstract
Purpose Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a malignant tumor that exists worldwide, has a high morbidity and mortality rate. Previous studies have reported that lncRNA NR2F1-AS1 plays a critical role in several cancers. Here, we aimed to investigate the biological function of NR2F1-AS1 and its molecular mechanism in the migration and invasion of HCC. Methods Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to analyze NR2F1-AS1 expression in HCC. The biological function was investigated by transwell invasion and migration assays. The protein level was identified by Western blot. In addition, the downstream targets of NR2F1-AS1 and miR-642a were confirmed by luciferase reporter assays. Results NR2F1-AS1 was significantly upregulated in HCC and associated with the poor prognosis of HCC patients. Biological function experiments revealed that the silence of NR2F1-AS1 suppressed cell invasion and migration in HCC. More importantly, NR2F1-AS1 directly interacted with miR-642a and negatively regulated miR-642a. DEK was the target of miR-642a, and NR2F1-AS1 positively regulated DEK expression by suppressing miR-642a. Conclusion Taken together, it is the first time we discovered the interaction of NR2F1-AS1 with miR-642a in modulating HCC cell invasion and migration.
Highlights
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, which initiates in hepatocytes and has a high mortality rate [1, 2]
Results displayed that NR2F1-AS1 was highly expressed in HCC tumor tissues when compared to adjacent nontumor tissues (Figure 1(a)). e median value of NR2F1-AS1 expression was used as the cutoff point to divide NR2F1-AS1 expression into high and low expression of NR2F1-AS1
LncRNA profile analysis and functional analysis of various types of cancer have provided more and more evidence that Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) plays a critical role in tumor growth and development [14]. lncRNA is considered to be a new diagnostic biomarker, effective prognostic predictor, and attractive therapeutic target for HCC through interactions with cellular macromolecules, such as proteins and mRNAs [15, 16]. us, it is critically called for to understand the molecular mechanism of lncRNAs in HCC progression
Summary
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, which initiates in hepatocytes and has a high mortality rate [1, 2]. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), as a new epigenetic regulatory molecule, have received wide attention in various cellular and biological processes. LncRNAs have been found to be critical regulators in HCC [5, 6]. LncRNA OTUD6B-AS1 was highly expressed in HCC and associated with HCC patients’ prognosis. A novel lncRNA, NR2F1 antisense RNA 1 (NR2F1-AS1), was functionally identified [9]. Mounting evidence has discovered that NR2F1-AS1 played a critical role in the development of various cancers, including colorectal cancer [10], breast cancer [11], and Journal of Oncology esophageal squamous cell carcinoma [12]. The biological role of NR2F1-AS1 and the detailed mechanism in HCC cell invasion and migration are yet to be explored
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
