Knockdown of LINC00657 inhibits the viability, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells by regulating the miR-520h/CKS1B axis.

Long non-coding RNA LINC00657 has a critical role in multiple cancers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the regulatory effect of LINC00657 in pancreatic cancer (PC) and reveal its molecular mechanism of function. The expression levels of LINC00657 and microRNA (miR)-520h were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR in PC tissues and cell lines. MTT, wound healing and Transwell assays were used to detect cell viability, migration and invasion, respectively. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was utilized to examine the relationship between LINC00657 and miR-520h and that between miR-520h and cyclin-dependent kinases regulatory subunit 1 (CKS1B). Western blotting was performed to detect CKS1B expression. The expression levels of LINC00657 and CKS1B were enhanced and miR-520h expression level was reduced in PC tissues and cell lines compared with adjacent normal tissues or HPDE6 cells. LINC00657 knockdown decreased the viability, migration and invasion of PC cells. Additionally, LINC00657 targeted miR-520h and negatively modulated miR-520h expression. Furthermore, miR-520h overexpression inhibited the viability, migration and invasion of PC cells. In addition, miR-520h targeted CKS1B and reversely regulated CKS1B expression. miR-520h inhibition and CKS1B overexpression alleviated the inhibition effect of LINC00657 knockdown on the viability, migration and invasion of PACA-2 PC cells. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that LINC00657 knockdown repressed the viability, migration and invasion of PC cells via targeting the miR-520h/CKS1B axis, which may offer a future target for PC therapy.