Long non-coding RNA PCAT6 targets miR-204 to modulate the chemoresistance of colorectal cancer cells to 5-fluorouracil-based treatment through HMGA2 signaling

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is still the third most common cancer in the world with a limited prognosis due to the chemoresistance of CRC cells to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy. In our previous study, we revealed that miR-204 overexpression could sensitize CRC cell to 5-FU treatment through targeting HMGA2/PI3K signaling pathway; however, miR-204 expression in CRC tissues is abnormally downregulated. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) dysregulation has been reported in human diseases, including cancer. Also, lncRNA can regulate cancer cell proliferation, invasion, migration, as well as chemoresistance. LncRNA prostate cancer-associated transcript 6 (PCAT6) acts as an oncogene in many cancers; herein, PCAT6 expression was abnormally upregulated in CRC tissues and cell lines, suggesting its potential role in CRC. Further, we assessed the specific function and mechanism of PCAT6 in CRC. Furthermore, we revealed that PCAT6 knockdown attenuated CRC chemoresistance to 5-FU through miR-204/HMGA2/PI3K; miR-204 inhibition could partially reverse the effect of PCAT6 knockdown. Taken together, we demonstrate that the abnormal PCAT6 overexpression inhibits miR-204 expression in CRC, thereby promoting HMGA2/PI3K signaling activity, ultimately enhancing the chemoresistance of CRC cells to 5-FU; PCAT6 represents a promising target for dealing with CRC chemoresistance.