Long non-coding RNA NEAT1 promoted ovarian cancer cells' metastasis through regulation of miR-382-3p/ROCK1 axial

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) are extensively involved in various malignant tumors, including ovarian cancer (OC). In the present study, we focused on the expression and function of nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) in OC cells' metastasis. We demonstrated that NEAT1 was upregulated in OC tissue specimens and cell lines. In addition, we revealed that depression of NEAT1 inhibited OC cells' metastasis and the expression of Rho associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1), which is a metastasis-related gene. Using online predictive software and a series of luciferase assays, we demonstrated that both NEAT1 and ROCK1 were the targets of microRNA-382-3p (miR-382-3p) and share similar microRNA responding elements (MRE). Furthermore, we illustrated that NEAT1 and miR-382-3p inhibited each other in a reciprocal manner. Finally, through antisense experiments we demonstrated that NEAT1 promoted ROCK1-mediated metastasis by functioning as a ceRNA of miR-382-3p. In summary, the findings of this study revealed that NEAT1 promoted OC cells' metastasis through regulating the miR-382-3p/ROCK1 axial. The present study might provide a new target for treating OC.