Overexpression of long non-coding RNA RP11-363E7.4 inhibits proliferation and invasion in gastric cancer

LncRNA RP11-363E7.4 has been shown to be downregulated in gastric cancer (GC), while the effect of lncRNA RP11-363E7.4 on GC and its potential molecular mechanisms is unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the functional role and underlying molecular mechanisms of lncRNA RP11-363E7.4 involved in GC progress.To address the question, quantitative real-time PCR assay was performed to confirm lncRNA RP11-363E7.4 expression levels in GC tissues and cell lines. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion were estimated using Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, scratch wound healing and Transwell assays. Potential molecular mechanisms were evaluated using western blot assay. The results showed that lncRNA RP11-363E7.4 was significantly downregulated in GC cell lines and 82 paired tissues. The correlation between expression and clinicopathological features indicated that low expression of lncRNA RP11-363E7.4 was associated with T stage (P= .010). Functional experiments showed that overexpression of lncRNA RP11-363E7.4 prevented proliferation, migration, and invasion and induced apoptosis of GC cells. Western blot assay revealed that lncRNA RP11-363E7.4 functioned via the p53, Bax/Bcl-2, beta-catenin pathway. In summary, this study revealed that lncRNA RP11-363E7.4 functioned as a tumour suppressor by inhibiting proliferation, migration, and invasion and inducing apoptosis of GC cells.Significance of the study:LncRNA RP11-363E7.4 has been shown to be downregulated in GC, while the effect of lncRNA RP11-363E7.4 on GC and its potential molecular mechanism is unclear. We revealed that lncRNA RP11-363E7.4 functioned as a tumour suppressor by inhibiting proliferation, migration, and invasion and inducing apoptosis of GC cells. LncRNA RP11-363E7.4 might become an attractive diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of GC and a promising target for GC treatment.