Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to participate in the progression of many malignancies, including prostate cancer by serving as sponges of microRNAs (miRNAs). Initial microarray-based analysis screened out the poorly expressed lncRNA RBMS3-AS3 in prostate cancer, followed by the identification of putative binding sites with miR-4534 and its target VASH1. Therefore, the present study set out to investigate the potential role of RBMS3-AS3/miR-4534/VASH1 axis in the development of prostate cancer. The biological functions of RBMS3-AS3, miR-4534, and VASH1 on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis of prostate cancer were evaluated via gain- and loss-of-function experiments. Furthermore, tumor xenograft in nude mice was performed to examine tumorigenesis in vivo. The obtained results indicated that RBMS3-AS3 was poorly expressed in prostate cancer tissues and cells. Of note, overexpression of RBMS3-AS3 was found to suppress cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis as well as the tumorigenic ability of prostate cancer. VASH1 was verified as a target gene of miR-4534. VASH1 expression was found to be downregulated in prostate cancer tissues and cells. Interestingly, RBMS3-AS3 was observed to competitively bind to miR-4534 to upregulate VASH1 expression, resulting in a suppressive role in prostate cancer development. Also, in vitro findings were reproduced in vivo on tumor xenograft in nude mice. Taken together, the present study provides evidence suggesting that RBMS3-AS3 acts as a miR-4534 sponge to inhibit the development of prostate cancer by upregulating VASH1, highlighting a theoretical target for prostate cancer treatment.
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