Novel long noncoding RNA Linc1749808 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis by negatively regulating miR-206

Notably, a growing number of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recognized to play critical roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. In this study, we identified a new lncRNA, Linc1749808 (ID: XR_001749808.1) based on microarray data from HCC tissues. Linc1749808 levels in 72 HCC tissues and paracancerous samples were detected by qRT-PCR. The interaction between Linc1749808 and microRNA-206 (miR-206) was assessed by bioinformatic analysis and luciferase assays. Linc1749808 depletion assays, Transwell assays, and miR-206-inhibitor rescue experiments were performed to examine the role of the Linc1749808/miR-206 axis in HCC cells. Our results showed that Linc1749808 was highly expressed in both HCC tissues and cell lines. Linc1749808 expression was significantly correlated with microvascular invasion, metastasis, and prognosis. After the knockdown of Linc1749808, the metastatic potential of 97H and HepG2 cells was attenuated in vitro and in vivo, but the proliferative capacity did not significantly change. Furthermore, Linc1749808 was found to act as a sponge of miR-206. Inhibition of miR-206 counteracted the effect of Linc1749808 knockdown in 97H cells by regulating YAP1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In summary, these findings show that Linc1749808 can exacerbate the metastasis of HCC by sponging miR-206.