The investigation of functions of metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 in migration/invasion of colorectal cancer cells

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expression and clinical value of long non-coding RNA MALAT1 in colorectal cancer tissues. We also set to interpret the roles and the possible mechanismsof MALAT1 in cell migration/invasion of colorectal cancer cells. Methods Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was applied to examine the expression of MALAT1 in paired colorectal cancer tissues and normal tissues. MALAT1 was knocked down by small interfering RNA (siRNA) in SW620 cells. Wound healing and transwell assay were performed to evaluate the effects of MALAT1 on the migration and invasion abilities respectively. Western blotting was finally used to detect the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Results MALAT1 was significantly increased in colorectal cancer tissues. MALAT1 was up-regulated in colorectal cancer tissue compare 46.7% (14/30) compared with normal tissue with statistical difference (P<0.05); Transient inhibition of MALAT1 in SW620 cells resulted in decreased cell migration/invasion. The expression of EMT markers were down-regulated after MALAT1 was knocked down. Conclusion Up-regulation of MALAT1 in colorectal promotes cell migration/invasion, which might be mediated by inducing EMT. Key words: Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1; Colorectal cancer; Neoplasm metastasis; Epithelial-mesenchymal transition