Linc01234 promotes cell proliferation and metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma via miR-433/PAK4 axis
Abstract Background Mounting studies demonstrate long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in tumor progression. However, the potential biological functions and clinical importance of linc01234 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) still remain unclear. Methods Two OSCC cells were transfected with siRNAs targeting linc01234, and RT-qPCR, CCK-8, EDU, wound healing and Transwell and western blot assays were performed to analyze the effect of linc01234 on cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Bioinformatic analysis, luciferase assays and RT-qPCR identified a competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) among linc01234, miR-433-3p and PAK4. Results We found that linc01234 was significantly upregulated in OSCC tissues and cell lines and positively associated with T stage, lymphnode metastasis, differentiation. Kaplan-Meier analysis of OSCC reveals a positive correlation between linc01234 and the overall survival. Following the linc01234 deletion, the cell proliferation and metastasis abilities in CAL27 and SCC25 cells were found to be extremely reduced. Mechanism studies indicated that linc01234 located in cytoplasm and shared microRNA (miRNA) response elements with miR-433-3p. Luciferase assays indicated that miR-433-3p bind to the 3′-UTR of PAK4. Conclusions Our results indicated that linc01234 functioned as an oncogene in OSCC and might be a potential therapeutic target for OSCC.