LncRNA LINC00342 contributes to the growth and metastasis of colorectal cancer via targeting miR-19a-3p/NPEPL1 axis

BackgroundLong intergenic non-protein coding RNA 00342 (LINC00342) has been identified as a novel oncogene. However, the functional role of LINC00342 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear.MethodsThe expression of LINC00342 is detected by real-time PCR (RT-PCR) analysis. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion and xenograft model are examined to analyze the biological functions of LINC00342 in vitro and in vivo using colony formation, would healing and transwell analyses. Dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays are used to identify the target interactions between LINC00342, miR-19a-3p and aminopeptidase like 1 (NPEPL1).ResultsLINC00342 was highly expressed in CRC. Down-regulation of LINC00342 inhibited cell proliferation and metastasis of CRC cells. Moreover, knocking down LINC00342 inhibited the tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistic investigation revealed that LINC00342 might sponge miR-19a-3p to regulate NPEPL1 expression. Further investigation indicated that the ontogenesis facilitated by LINC00342 was inhibited due to the depletion of NPEPL1.ConclusionLINC00342 promotes CRC progression by competitively binding miR-19a-3p with NPEPL1.

Automated summary

LINC00342, identified as a novel oncogene, promotes CRC progression by competitively binding miR-19a-3p with NPEPL1. Its down-regulation inhibits cell proliferation and metastasis, and further investigation suggests that LINC00342 acts as a sponge for miR-19a-3p to regulate NPEPL1 expression.