Long non-coding RNA OIP5-AS1 promotes cell proliferation and aerobic glycolysis in gastric cancer through sponging miR-186.

Introduction: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play vital roles in tumour initiation and progression. LncRNA OIP5-AS1 is a potential oncogene in many types of human malignancies, but its biological functions in gastric cancer (GC) remain to be further elucidated.

Material And Methods: The expression levels of OIP5-AS1 and miR-186 in GC tissues and cell lines were detected by RT-qPCR analysis. CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay were performed to investigate the proliferation of GC cells , and a nude mouse tumour model was established to validate the role of OIP5-AS1 in GC tumorigenesis . The glucose consumption and lactate production of GC cells were detected by ELISA assay. Interaction between OIP5-AS1 and miR-186 was determined using dual luciferase reporter assay.

Results: The results demonstrated that OIP5-AS1 was upregulated in GC tissues and cell lines and that its high expression was notably correlated with aggressive clinicopathological features of GC patients. Functionally, knockdown of OIP5-AS1 inhibited GC cell proliferation and enhanced cell apoptosis , and inhibited GC xenograft growth . In addition, knockdown of OIP5-AS1 reduced the glucose consumption and lactate production in GC cells. In particular, OIP5-AS1 may function as a ceRNA for miR-186, and inhibition of miR-186 blocks the effects of OIP5-AS1 knockdown on aerobic glycolysis in GC cells.

Conclusions: Accordingly, our findings suggested that the OIP5-AS1/miR-186 axis might be considered as a potential therapeutic target for GC patients.