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Long non‑coding RNA MLK7‑AS1 promotes proliferation in human colorectal cancer via downregulation of p21 expression

Rui Zhang1, Jibin Li1, Xiaofei Yan1

  • 1Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning 110042, P.R. China.

Molecular Medicine Reports
|December 12, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Long non-coding RNA MLK7-AS1 is upregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC) and promotes tumor growth by downregulating p21. This study identifies MLK7-AS1 as a potential biomarker for CRC progression.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly recognized as key players in cancer development.
  • Colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis involves complex molecular alterations, including dysregulation of lncRNAs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of MLK7 antisense RNA 1 (MLK7-AS1) in colorectal cancer progression.
  • To explore MLK7-AS1 as a potential diagnostic biomarker for CRC.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset for lncRNA expression in CRC.
  • Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to assess MLK7-AS1 levels in CRC tissues and cell lines.
  • In vitro and in vivo experiments involving MLK7-AS1 knockdown and overexpression in CRC models.
  • Western blot analysis to examine downstream targets, including p21.

Main Results:

  • MLK7-AS1 was identified as a novel lncRNA significantly upregulated in CRC tissues and cell lines.
  • Increased MLK7-AS1 expression correlated positively with advanced clinicopathological features in CRC patients.
  • MLK7-AS1 knockdown inhibited CRC cell proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest (G1/G0), and promoted apoptosis in vitro.
  • MLK7-AS1 overexpression had opposite effects on CRC cell behavior.
  • Reduced MLK7-AS1 expression suppressed tumor growth in vivo.
  • p21 was identified as a potential downstream target of MLK7-AS1, with MLK7-AS1 potentially downregulating its expression.

Conclusions:

  • MLK7-AS1 plays a crucial role in promoting colorectal cancer proliferation and progression.
  • MLK7-AS1 may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker for CRC.
  • The oncogenic function of MLK7-AS1 in CRC may be partly mediated through the downregulation of the tumor suppressor p21.
Keywords:
long non-coding RNAMLK7-AS1colorectal cancerproliferationP21

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