lncRNA DSCAM-AS1 down regulates miR-216b to promote the migration and invasion of colorectal adenocarcinoma cells

Background: It has been reported that lncRNA DSCAM-AS1 plays an oncogenic role in breast cancer. In the present study we explored the role of DSCAM-AS1 in colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRA). Methods: Gene expression was analyzed by qPCR and Western blot. Overexpression experiments were performed to analyze gene interactions. Transwell assays were performed to analyze cell invasion and migration. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was performed to analyze DNA methylation. Results: It was observed that DSCAM-AS1 was upregulated in the primary tumor tissues than in paired non-tumor tissues (within 2 cm around tumors) and was further increased with tumor metastasis. miR-216b was downregulated in primary tumor and further downregulated with tumor metastasis. miR-216b was inversely correlated with DSCAM-AS1 in tumor tissues, but not in non-tumor tissues. In cells of CRA cell lines, DSCAM-AS1 overexpression resulted in the downregulation of miR-216b, while miR-216b overexpression did not significantly affect DSCAM-AS1. DSCAM-AS1 overexpression did not significantly affect cancer cell proliferation but promoted cell migration and invasion. miR-216b inhibited cancer cell migration and invasion and significantly reduced the effects of DSCAM-AS1 overexpression. Methylation-specific PCR showed that DSCAM-AS1 overexpression promoted the methylation of miR-216b gene. Conclusion: DSCAM-AS1 may downregulate miR-216b to promote the migration and invasion of CRA cells.