lncRNA DLEU2 accelerates gastric cancer growth by downregulating miR-30a-5p

Introduction: lncRNA DLEU2 has been indicated to act a crucial role in the bioprocess of cancer. But, the role and molecular mechanisms of lncRNA DLEU2 in gastric cancer (GC) remain unknown. Methods: The correlation of DLEU2 or miR-30a-5p with the clinical parameters and outcomes of GC patents was implemented by TCGA cohort. Cell viability and invasion were estimated by MTT and Transwell assays. The interplay between DLEU2 and miR-30a-5p was confirmed by a luciferase report assay. The effects of DLEU2 on miR-30a-5p or MMP2/9 were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Results: We found that the enhanced expression of DLEU2 was linked to the pathological stage and poor survival in GC patients. Overexpressing DLEU2 prompted the cell proliferation and invasion of AGS cells, but silencing DLEU2 weakened these effects in MKN-28 cells. In addition, DLEU2 could negatively modulate and be bound with miR-30a-5p, which could counteract DLEU2-caused cell proliferation. High expression of miR-30a-5p was linked to a favorable survival in patients with GC. Conclusion: Our findings suggested that lncRNA DLEU2 could favor the growth of GC by downregulating miR-30a-5p.