Background: It has been proved that lncRNAs could function as CeRNA for miRNAs in tumor growth and metastasis for cervical cancer. This paper aims to identify the role of LINC02381 in cervical cancer cells.
Materials and Methods: RT-qPCR was utilized to measure the expression levels of LINC02381 in cervical cancer tissues and cells. MTT, colony formation assay, transwell assay, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting were performed to investigate the roles of LINC02381 in cervical cancer cells. RegRNA 2.0 was used to predict the miRNA-binding sites of LINC02381. Luciferase reporter assay and RT-qPCR were employed to confirm the sponging effect between miR-133b and LINC02381.
Results: This study showed that LINC02381 was up-regulated in cervical cancer cells and acted as an oncogene in the development of cervical cancer. LINC02381 promoted cell viability and metastasis via sponging miR-133b. Moreover, miR-133b could target its downstream mediator of RhoA and inhibit its expression.
Conclusion: Overall, our results indicated that LINC02381 functions as an oncogene in cervical cancer and could serve as a novel target for cervical cancer therapies in the future.
Keywords: LINC02381, miR-133b, RhoA, cervical cancer, cell viability