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Long Noncoding RNA WDFY3-AS2 Represses the Progression of Esophageal Cancer through miR-18a/PTEN Axis

Qingling Kong1, Guangcai Li2, Gang Yin3

  • 1Hospital Infection Control Office, Rizhao People's Hospital, Rizhao 276800, China.

Journal of Oncology
|July 1, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Long non-coding RNA WDFY3-AS2 is underexpressed in esophageal cancer (EC), inhibiting tumor progression. WDFY3-AS2 acts as a ceRNA by sponging miR-18a to regulate PTEN, suggesting a novel therapeutic target for EC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial in human cancer development, necessitating research into their roles in esophageal cancer (EC).
  • The specific function and regulatory mechanisms of lncRNA WDFY3-AS2 in EC remain largely unknown.
  • This study investigates the functional role and regulatory mechanism of WDFY3-AS2 in EC progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the functional role of lncRNA WDFY3-AS2 in esophageal cancer.
  • To investigate the regulatory mechanism of WDFY3-AS2 in EC.
  • To explore the potential of WDFY3-AS2 as a therapeutic target for EC.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) to assess WDFY3-AS2 and miR-18a expression levels in EC tissues and cells.
  • Luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays to determine the interaction between WDFY3-AS2, miR-18a, and PTEN.
  • Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assays to evaluate cell viability, migration, and invasion.

Main Results:

  • WDFY3-AS2 was found to be underexpressed in EC specimens and cells, correlating with poor patient prognosis.
  • Re-expression of WDFY3-AS2 significantly inhibited EC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.
  • WDFY3-AS2 negatively correlated with miR-18a and positively with PTEN, with WDFY3-AS2 overexpression rescuing PTEN levels suppressed by miR-18a mimic.

Conclusions:

  • WDFY3-AS2 functions as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by sponging miR-18a, thereby modulating PTEN expression in EC.
  • The WDFY3-AS2/miR-18a/PTEN pathway is implicated in the progression of esophageal cancer.
  • WDFY3-AS2 represents a potential therapeutic target for esophageal cancer treatment.

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