Long Noncoding RNA AFAP1-AS1 Promotes Cell Proliferation and Metastasis Via the MiR-155-5p/FGF7 Axis and Predicts Poor Prognosis in Gastric Cancer

Overview

Journal Dis Markers

Publisher Wiley

Specialty Biochemistry

Date 2020 Feb 14

PMID 32051698

Citations 17

Authors

Hong-Wu Ma

Da-Yong Xi

Jian-Zhong Ma

Min Guo

Li Ma

Dong-Hong Ma

Pei-Wu Li

Chang-An Guo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Actin filament-associated protein 1-antisense RNA 1 (AFAP1-AS1) plays an important role in the development and progression of several human cancers. However, its biological function in gastric cancer (GC) progression is still unknown.

Methods: We used qRT-PCR to detect the relative expression of AFAP1-AS1 in GC tissues and cell lines. The loss-of-function assays were conducted to detect the effect of AFAP1-AS1 on GC development. Bioinformatics analysis, luciferase reporter gene analysis, and RIP analysis were used to identify and validate target genes of AFAP1-AS1. Finally, rescue tests were performed to confirm the influence of the AFAP1-AS1-miR-155-5p-FGF7 axis on GC development.

Results: AFAP1-AS1 was upregulated in GC tissues and cell lines and was closely correlated with poor prognosis of GC patients. AFAP1-AS1 knockdown inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells, indicating that AFAP1-AS1 acts as an oncogene in GC. Bioinformatics analysis, dual-luciferase reporter gene detection, and RIP assays validated that AFAP1-AS1 directly interacts to miR-155-5p and could positively affect cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by regulation of the expression of miR-155-5p and FGF7. Further rescue assays revealed that AFAP1-AS1 promotes cell proliferation and metastasis through the miR-155-5p/FGF7 axis in GC.

Conclusions: AFAP1-AS1 might be an oncogenic lncRNA that promoted GC progression by acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) that regulates the expression of FGF7 through sponging miR-155-5p, suggesting that AFAP1-AS1 may be a novel potential therapeutic target for GC.

Citing Articles

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MicroRNA-155 and its exosomal form: Small pieces in the gastrointestinal cancers puzzle.

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The Long Non-Coding RNA AC006329.1 Facilitates Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression and Metastasis by Regulating miR-127-5p/SHC3/ERK Axis.

Kong X, Yang X, Jiang W, Zhu D, Kong L J Hepatocell Carcinoma. 2023; 10:1085-1103.

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High expression of AFAP1-AS1 is associated with poor prognosis of digestive system cancers: A meta-analysis.

Xu X, Duan F, Xu L, Ng S, Li Y, Li Y Medicine (Baltimore). 2022; 101(38):e30833.

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Increased lncRNA AFAP1-AS1 expression predicts poor prognosis in gastric cancer: Evidence from published studies and followed up verification.

Duan F, Li Y, Feng Y, Niu G, Chai J, Wang K Cancer Med. 2022; 12(4):4227-4235.

PMID: 36164273 PMC: 9972132. DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5287.

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