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Published in: Cancer Cell International 1/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Thyroid Cancer | Primary research

ZEB1-AS1/miR-133a-3p/LPAR3/EGFR axis promotes the progression of thyroid cancer by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

Authors: Wu Xia, Wen Jie

Published in: Cancer Cell International | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

Thyroid cancer (TC) is a member of common malignant tumors in endocrine system. To develop effective treatment, further comprehension of understanding molecular mechanism in TC is necessary. In this research, we attempted to search the underlying molecular mechanism in TC.

Methods

ZEB1-AS1 expression was analyzed via qRT-PCR analysis. CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometry and TUNEL assays were used to evaluate TC cell growth. The interaction between miR-133a-3p and LPAR3, EGFR and ZEB1-AS1 was testified through using RNA pull down and luciferase reporter assays.

Results

LPAR3 and EGFR were expressed at high levels in TC tissues and cell lines. Besides, both LPAR3 and EGFR could promote TC cell growth. Later, miR-133a-3p was searched as an upstream gene of LPAR3 and EGFR, and LPAR3 could partially rescue the suppressive effect of miR-133a-3p overexpression on TC progression, whereas the co-transfection of LPAR3 and EGFR completely restored the inhibition. Next, ZEB1-AS1 was confirmed as a sponge of miR-133a-3p. ZEB1-AS1 has a negative correlation with miR-133a-3p and a positive association with LPAR3 and EGFR through ceRNA analysis. Importantly, ZEB1-AS1 boosted the proliferation and suppressed the apoptosis in TC cells. Through restoration assays, we discovered that ZEB1-AS1 regulated LPAR3 and EGFR expression to mediate TC cell proliferation and apoptosis by sponging miR-133a-3p. Further investigation also indicated the oncogenic role of ZEB1-AS1 by mediating PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Conclusions

ZEB1-AS1 could be an underlying biomarker in TC.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
ZEB1-AS1/miR-133a-3p/LPAR3/EGFR axis promotes the progression of thyroid cancer by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
Authors
Wu Xia
Wen Jie
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Cancer Cell International / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1475-2867
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12935-020-1098-1

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