LncRNA LINC01579/miR-579-3p axis promotes gastric cancer progression via NOTCH1 pathway

BACKGROUND: The function of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in gastric cancer (GC) has received increasing attention. This study aims to explore the role of LINC01579 in GC. METHODS: One hundred GC subjects were included. The abundance of LINC01579, miR-579-3p, and NOTCH1 signaling-related genes was measured in GC tissues and cell lines using qRT-PCR. Prognostic significance was evaluated through Kaplan-Meier estimator and Cox analysis. The interaction between LINC01579 and miR-579-3p was analyzed using Pearson correlation, bioinformatics prediction, and validated by dual-luciferase reporter assays. Cell proliferation was assessed using the CCK-8 assay, while apoptosis was evaluated by FITC Annexin V/PI staining followed by flow cytometry. Co-transfection experiments were performed to explore functional interactions. RESULTS: LINC01579 was elevated, whereas miR-579-3p was reduced in GC tissues and cell lines. Higher LINC01579 was associated with advanced pTNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and poor overall survival, identifying it as an independent prognostic factor. LINC01579 directly targeted miR-579-3p, with a significant negative correlation between their expression levels. Functionally, LINC01579 promoted tumor cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, and activated the NOTCH1 signaling (NOTCH1, DLL1, HES1), while miR-579-3p partially reversed these effects. CONCLUSION: LINC01579 was a promising prognostic candidate in GC. These findings indicated that LINC01579/miR-579-3p facilitates GC progression through cell proliferation, apoptosis, and NOTCH1 signaling, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target.