LncRNA PTPRG-AS1 Promotes Breast Cancer Progression by Modulating the miR-4659a-3p/ QPCT Axis

Background: Overwhelming evidence has suggested that dysregulated long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a critical modulating effect in the evolution of breast cancer (BRCA). Nevertheless, the roles of lncRNA PTPRG antisense RNA 1 (PTPRG-AS1) in BRCA and the underlying mechanisms have not been experimentally validated and functionally annotated. Methods: The expression of lncRNA PTPRG-AS1 in BRCA tissues and cell lines was evaluated by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and by using public databases. The proliferation of BRCA cells was detected using Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays. Wound healing assay, and Transwell migration and invasion assays were carried out to explore the migratory and invasive abilities of BRCA cells. The interaction between lncRNA PTPRG-AS1, microRNA (miR)-4659a-3p and glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase (QPCT) was verified using RT-qPCR, dual-luciferase reporter assay and Western blotting. Results: The results showed that LncRNA PTPRG-AS1 was markedly upregulated in BRCA tissues and cell lines. Knocking down lncRNA PTPRG-AS1 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of BRCA cells, while overexpression of lncRNA PTPRG-AS1 enhanced the aforementioned properties of BRCA cells. Further analyses revealed that PTPRG-AS1 may act as a molecular sponge for miR-4659a-3p, thus regulating QPCT expression, therefore, acting as an oncogene in BRCA. Conclusion: Collectively, the study demonstrates that lncRNA PTPRG-AS1 may act as a competing endogenous RNA by regulating the miR-4659a-3p/QPCT axis in BRCA progression. This lncRNA could potentially be a biomarker and therapeutic target for BRCA.