Long Non-Coding RNA DUXAP8 Enhances Renal Cell Carcinoma Progression via Downregulating miR-126

BACKGROUND Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the common malignant tumors in the urinary system, which endangers human health for a long time. The past decade, the molecular biology of renal cell carcinoma has made considerable progress, so that we have a more profound understanding of renal cell carcinoma. Molecular biological mechanism of renal cell carcinoma remains to be explored. Evidence indicates that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may be important players in human cancer progression, including RCC. In this study, we found that a newly discovered pseudogene-derived lncRNA named DUXAP8, a 2107-bp RNA, was remarkably upregulated in RCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS Expression of lncRNA DUXAP8 was determined by a qRT-PCR assay in RCC tissues. The proliferation and invasion of RCC cell were measured by a cell proliferation assay and a Transwell invasion assay. Expression of miR-126 was detected by real-time PCR. Interactions between lncRNA DUXAP8 and miR-126 were measured by a luciferase reporter assay and an RNA-pull down assay. In vivo experiments were used to detect tumor formation. RESULTS Together, our study not only identifies lncRNA DUXAP8 as a negative regulator of renal cancer with potential clinical value, but also reveals a regulatory mechanism by long non-coding RNAs to control tumor development. CONCLUSIONS Results from this study provide evidence that lncRNA DUXAP8 enhances renal cell carcinoma progression via downregulating of miR-126, which offers a new approach for the treatment of RCC.