Long non-coding RNA, steroid receptor RNA activator (SRA), induces tumor proliferation and invasion through the NOTCH pathway in cervical cancer cell lines

Oncol Rep. 2017 Dec;38(6):3481-3488. doi: 10.3892/or.2017.6023. Epub 2017 Oct 11.

Abstract

Contemporary research has focused on the function of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in carcinogenesis. However, the involvement of the lncRNA, steroid receptor RNA activator (SRA), in cervical carcinogenesis remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the bio-functional consequences of lncRNA SRA knockdown in vitro. To verify the role of lncRNA SRA in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, lncRNA RNA interference was utilized to knock down lncRNA SRA expression in cervical cancer cell lines, resulting in our discovery that lncRNA SRA knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, cell migration and tumor invasion in the cervical cancer cell lines. Additionally, in vitro experiments using the lncRNA SRA-knockdown cervical cancer cell lines revealed that lncRNA SRA is a strong inducer and modulator of the expression of genes related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the NOTCH signaling pathway. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that lncRNA SRA is highly correlated with cancer progression and cervical cancer cell proliferation and migration. Furthermore, these results indicate that lncRNA SRA may be a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker for cervical malignancy.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics*
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics*
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics
  • Receptors, Notch / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Receptors, Notch
  • steroid receptor RNA activator, human