Long non-coding RNA GASL1 restrains gastric carcinoma cell proliferation and metastasis by sponging microRNA-106a

Background Gastric carcinoma (GC) is a common malignant tumor. Recently, it has been found that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important role in cancer. In this paper, we investigated the effects and mechanism of lncRNA GASL1 in GC cells. Methods GASL1 level in GC cells was up-regulated via cell transfection. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion were detected by CCK-8, BrdU, Transwell assays and western blot. In addition, the regulation of GASL1 on microRNA (miR)-106a level was detected using RT-qPCR and the binding between GASL1 and miR-106a was confirmed by bioinformatic prediction and luciferase reporter assay. The effects of overexpressing miR-106a on GASL1-regulated GC cell behaviors were further explored. Moreover, western blot also was used to detect the pathway-related proteins. Results Overexpression of GASL1 decreased the viability and BrdU levels. Meanwhile, CyclinD1 level was decreased while p53 and p21 levels were strengthened by overexpression of GASL1. On cell metastasis, up-regulation of GASL1 decreased cell migration, invasion and related proteins matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and Vimentin levels. Meanwhile, silencing GASL1 exerted opposite effects on GC cells. Moreover, GASL1 negatively regulated and targeted miR-106a. Up-regulation of miR-106a weakened the functions of GASL1 in cell proliferation and metastasis. Besides, GASL1 decreased the relate-protein levels of PI3K/AKT and ras/raf/MEK/ERK pathways while miR-106a weakened these changes. Conclusion GASL1 restrained GC cell proliferation and metastasis and blocked PI3K/AKT and ras/raf/MEK/ERK pathways by sponging miR-106a.