Knockdown of long noncoding RNA DLX6-AS1 inhibits migration and invasion of thyroid cancer cells by upregulating UPF1

Z.-B. Zhong, Y.-J. Wu, J.-N. Luo, X.-N. Hu, Z.-N. Yuan, G. Li, Y.-W. Wang, G.-D. Yao, X.-F. Ge

Department of Head and Neck Cancer Radiation Therapy, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China. gexiaofeng121@163.com

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• Oncology

OBJECTIVE: Recently, long non- coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have attracted much attention for their roles in tumor progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the exact role of lncRNA DLX6 antisense RNA 1 (DLX6-AS1) in the development of thyroid cancer (TC), and to explore the underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: DLX6-AS1 expression in both TC cells and tissue samples was detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Moreover, transwell assay and wound healing assay were conducted. QRT-PCR and Western blot assay were used to explore the underlying mechanism. Furthermore, the function of DLX6-AS1 was identified in vivo.

RESULTS: DLX6-AS1 expression level in TC tissues was significantly higher than that of the corresponding normal tissues. Moreover, TC cell migration and invasion were markedly inhibited after DLX6-AS1 was knocked down in vitro. The mRNA and protein expressions of UPF1 were both remarkably up-regulated after knockdown of DLX6-AS1. Meanwhile, the expression level of UPF1 was negatively correlated with the expression of DLX6-AS1 in TC tissues. Furthermore, knockdown of DLX6-AS1 significantly inhibited tumor metastasis in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS: Knockdown of DLX6-AS1 could inhibit TC cell migration and invasion via upregulating UPF1, which might be a potential therapeutic target in TC.

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