p53-inducible long non-coding RNA PICART1 mediates cancer cell proliferation and migration.

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Research
• Genomics

Background:

• Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in cancer development and progression.
• The functional characterization of most lncRNAs remains incomplete.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize novel lncRNAs involved in cancer.
• To elucidate the functional role and mechanism of a newly identified lncRNA, PICART1, in cancer.

Main Methods:

• Transcriptome sequencing to identify novel lncRNA transcripts.
• Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to assess gene expression.
• Cell-based assays to evaluate proliferation, migration, and invasion.
• Western blotting to analyze protein expression and signaling pathways.

Main Results:

• A novel lncRNA, p53-inducible cancer-associated RNA transcript 1 (PICART1), was identified and found to be upregulated by p53.
• PICART1 expression was decreased in breast and colorectal cancer cells and tissues.
• Ectopic PICART1 expression suppressed cancer cell growth, proliferation, migration, and invasion, while PICART1 silencing promoted these processes.
• PICART1 suppressed AKT/GSK3β signaling, leading to decreased β-catenin, cyclin D1, and c-Myc, and increased p21Waf/cip1 expression.

Conclusions:

• PICART1 is a novel p53-inducible tumor-suppressor lncRNA.
• PICART1 exerts its tumor-suppressive functions by inhibiting the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling cascade.
• PICART1 represents a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment.