Long noncoding RNA NEAT1 promotes glioma pathogenesis by regulating miR-449b-5p/c-Met axis

Growing evidence demonstrates that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the progression of various cancers including glioma. Nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1), an essential lncRNA for the formation of nuclear body paraspeckles, was not fully explored in glioma. We aimed to determine the expression, roles, and functional mechanisms of NEAT1 in the progression of glioma. By real-time PCR, we suggested that NEAT1 was upregulated in glioma tissues than noncancerous brain tissues. Knockdown of NEAT1 reduced glioma cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. RNA immunoprecipitation assay combined with luciferase reporter assay confirmed miR-449b-5p-specific binding to NEAT1. Furthermore, we verified that c-Met was a directly target of miR-449b-5p. Rescue assays demonstrated NEAT1 functions a molecular sponge for miR-449b-5p and leads to the upregulation of c-Met. This regulation menchaism promotes glioma pathogenesis and may provide a potential target for the prognosis and treatment of glioma.