Long Noncoding RNA ZFPM2-AS1 Enhances the Malignancy of Cervical Cancer by Functioning as a Molecular Sponge of microRNA-511-3p and Consequently Increasing FGFR2 Expression

• Main Authors: Dai J, Wei R, Zhang P, Liu P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2020-01-01
• Series: Cancer Management and Research
• Subjects: zfpm2 antisense rna 1; cervical cancer therapy; fibroblast growth factor receptor 2; microrna-511-3p
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/long-noncoding-rna-zfpm2-as1-enhances-the-malignancy-of-cervical-cance-peer-reviewed-article-CMAR

Jun Dai, 1 Rujia Wei, 2 Peihai Zhang, 3 Peishu Liu 1 1Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, Shandong 252004, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (Qingdao), Qingdao, Shandong 266035, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Jun DaiDepartment of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua West Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail [e-mail] ZhangDepartment of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (Qingdao), 758 Hefei Road, Qingdao, Shandong 266035, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail [e-mail]: A long noncoding RNA called ZFPM2 antisense RNA 1 (ZFPM2-AS1) has been verified as a key modulator in multiple human cancer types. Nonetheless, the expression and functions of ZFPM2-AS1 in cervical cancer remain poorly understood. Therefore, our purpose was to characterize the expression pattern, clinical value, and detailed roles of ZFPM2-AS1 in cervical cancer.Methods: Reverse-transcription quantitative PCR was carried out to measure ZFPM2-AS1 expression in cervical cancer. A Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, flow cytometry, Transwell migration and invasion assays, and a tumor xenograft experiment were conducted to determine the influence of ZFPM2-AS1 on cervical cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion in vitro and on tumor growth in vivo, respectively.Results: ZFPM2-AS1 was found to be aberrantly upregulated in cervical cancer, and its upregulation was associated with unfavorable values of clinical parameters. A ZFPM2-AS1 knockdown significantly reduced cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and increased apoptosis in vitro. The ZFPM2-AS1 knockdown decelerated tumor growth of cervical cancer cells in vivo. Molecular investigation indicated that ZFPM2-AS1 acts as a molecular sponge of microRNA-511-3p (miR-511-3p) in cervical cancer cells. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) mRNA was validated as a direct target of miR-511-3p in cervical cancer, and its expression was positively modulated by ZFPM2-AS1. The effects of the ZFPM2-AS1 knockdown on malignant characteristics of cervical cancer cells were greatly attenuated by miR-511-3p inhibition.Conclusion: ZFPM2-AS1 promotes cervical cancer progression through upregulation of miR-511-3p–FGFR2 axis output, thereby pointing to possible diagnostics and therapeutics based on the ZFPM2-AS1–miR-511-3p–FGFR2 pathway.Keywords: ZFPM2 antisense RNA 1, cervical cancer therapy, fibroblast growth factor receptor 2, microRNA-511-3p