Long Noncoding RNA KCNMB2-AS1 Increases ROCK1 Expression by Sponging microRNA-374a-3p to Facilitate the Progression of Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

• Main Authors: Yang H, Wang Z
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2020-12-01
• Series: Cancer Management and Research
• Subjects: kcnmb2 antisense rna 1; long noncoding rna; cerna theory
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/long-noncoding-rna-kcnmb2-as1-increases-rock1-expression-by-sponging-m-peer-reviewed-article-CMAR

Haitao Yang,1,* Ziyi Wang,2,* Zhenyuan Wang1 1Department of Thoracic Surgery, The People’s Hospital of Liaoning Province, Liaoning 110015, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Tenth People’s Hospital of Shenyang, Liaoning 110044, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Zhenyuan WangDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, The People’s Hospital of Liaoning Province, 33 Wenyi Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110015, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail [e-mail]: The expression and roles of most long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain poorly understood. Thus, this study investigated KCNMB2 antisense RNA 1 (KCNMB2-AS1) expression in NSCLC and determined the roles and mechanisms of KCNMB2-AS1 in regulating NSCLC progression.Methods: KCNMB2-AS1 expression in NSCLC tissues and cells was detected using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry, Transwell migration, and Transwell invasion assays, respectively. In vivo tumor xenograft models were constructed to assess tumorigenicity. Bioinformatics predictions were performed to identify microRNAs targeting KCNMB2-AS1. Interactions between KCNMB2-AS1 and miR-374a-3p were analyzed using RNA immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter, and rescue experiments.Results: KCNMB2-AS1 levels were increased in NSCLC tissues and cells. KCNMB2-AS1 silencing hindered NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and promoted apoptosis in vitro. Additionally, KCNMB2-AS1 knockdown decreased tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, KCNMB2-AS1 functioned as an endogenous miR-374a-3p sponge and increased ρ-associated coiled-coil–containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) expression. Furthermore, increased miR-374a-3p/ROCK1 output attenuated KCNMB2-AS1 silencing-induced inhibition of NSCLC progression.Conclusion: The KCNMB2-AS1/miR-374a-3p/ROCK1 pathway drives NSCLC progression, suggesting that this pathway can be targeted to reduce NSCLC progression.Keywords: KCNMB2 antisense RNA 1, long noncoding RNA, ceRNA theory