LncRNA PCAT6 mediates UBFD1 expression via sponging miR-545-3p in breast cancer cells

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) PCAT6 is implicated in the carcinogenesis of various tumors.
• This study investigates the specific mechanisms by which PCAT6 promotes breast cancer cell progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the role of lncRNA PCAT6 in breast cancer cell progression.
• To identify the molecular interactions and pathways regulated by PCAT6 in breast cancer.

Main Methods:

• RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) to identify lncRNAs associated with IMP1.
• Bioinformatics, RNA-seq, and RT-qPCR to predict and analyze molecular interactions.
• Luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays to confirm interactions.
• Cell proliferation and invasion assays (CCK-8, transwell) to assess functional effects.

Main Results:

• PCAT6 was identified as a lncRNA associated with IMP1, and it binds to IMP1.
• PCAT6 functions as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-545-3p, regulating UBFD1 expression.
• IMPI binding destabilizes PCAT6, while its interaction with miR-545-3p positively regulates UBFD1. Silencing UBFD1 rescued PCAT6-induced proliferation and invasion.

Conclusions:

• PCAT6 promotes breast cancer cell carcinogenesis by activating UBFD1 expression through sponging miR-545-3p.
• The ubiquitin pathway may contribute to breast cancer progression, given UBFD1's role as a polyubiquitin binding protein.