LncRNA LINC00963 promotes proliferation and migration through the miR-124-3p/FZD4 pathway in colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified in various malignant tumors and determined to play an essential role in terms of cancer progression. In this study, we aimed at exploring the molecular mechanism of LINC00963 in colorectal cancer (CRC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The mRNA expressions of LINC00963, miR-124-3p and FZD4 in CRC tissues and cells were detected by qRT-PCR. CCK-8 and transwell assay were chosen to measure the CRC cell vitality. Western blot analysis was performed to assess the expression level of FZD4 in CRC. The correlation between LINC00963 and miR-124-3p or miR-124-3p and FZD4 was appraised by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: In this study, LINC00963 was significantly upregulated in CRC tissues and cells. Functionally, LINC00963 knockdown inhibited cell progression in CRC. The results verified that LINC00963 can restrain the expression of miR-124-3p. Moreover, FZD4 restored the inhibitory effect of miR-124-3p on the progression of CRC cells. Besides that, we preliminarily verified that FZD4 was a direct target gene of LINC00963/miR-124-3p axis in CRC. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that LINC00963/miR-124-3p/FZD4 played a curial role in cell proliferation and migration in CRC. In addition, LINC00963 can be a possible therapeutic and diagnostic target for CRC treatment.