CASC9 Facilitates Cell Proliferation in Bladder Cancer by Regulating CBX2 Expression

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Bladder cancer (BC) is a prevalent urologic carcinoma affecting approximately 430,000 individuals annually worldwide.
• Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their significant roles in BC progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the functional role and underlying mechanism of CASC9 in bladder cancer.
• To elucidate the regulatory network involving CASC9, miR-497-5p, and CBX2 in BC.

Main Methods:

• Utilized bioinformatics analysis alongside experimental techniques including RT-qPCR, luciferase reporter assays, CCK-8 assays, Western blotting, RNA immunoprecipitation, and TUNEL staining.
• Investigated CASC9 expression and function in BC tissues and cell lines.

Main Results:

• CASC9 expression was found to be upregulated in BC tissues and cell lines.
• Knockdown of CASC9 significantly reduced BC cell proliferation and increased apoptosis.
• Mechanistically, CASC9 functions as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for CBX2 by sponging miR-497-5p, forming a regulatory axis.

Conclusions:

• CASC9 acts as an oncogene in bladder cancer, promoting cell proliferation via the miR-497-5p/CBX2 pathway.
• This study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of BC and identifies CASC9 as a potential therapeutic target for BC treatment.