Long non-coding RNA LINC00152 promotes tumorigenesis via sponging miR-193b-3p in osteosarcoma

The majority of the human genome has been revealed to be non-protein-coding, which are transcribed into noncoding RNAs (ncRNA), RNAs which are not translated into protein. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), including LINC00152, may be associated with the pathogenesis of different types of cancer. LINC00152 serves as an endogenous sponge by binding to micro-RNAs (miRNAs) and inhibiting their activity. The current study revealed that LINC00152 is overexpressed in osteosarcoma cells, leading to increased cell proliferation, and decreased G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The binding of miR-193b-3p to LINC00152 was demonstrated by dual-luciferase assay, and led to miR-193b-3p downregulation in osteosarcoma cells. Knockdown of LINC00152 revealed an antitumorigenic effect by reducing cell proliferation and increasing G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis. Inhibiting miR-193b-3p reversed the effects of LINC00152 knockdown. These results suggested that LINC00152 binds to miR-193b-3p and reduces its expression level, leading to increased cell proliferation and decreased G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells.