Silencing LINC00665 inhibits cutaneous melanoma in vitro progression and induces apoptosis via the miR-339-3p/TUBB

Background LncRNAs are closely related to cutaneous melanoma (CM) tumorigenesis and metastasis, and it can affect the progression of CM by regulating cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and other cellular mechanisms. This study investigated the role of LINC00665 in CM. Methods Expressions of LINC00665, miR-339-3p, and tubulin beta chain (TUBB) in CM cells were analyzed by qRT-PCR and/or Western blot. The LINC00665/miR-339-3p/TUBB targeting network was predicted by bioinformatics tools, screened out by Venn diagrams and analyzed by Pearson's correlation coefficients, followed by validation via dual-luciferase reporter assay and/or pull-down assay. Transfection of siLINC00665 or miR-339-3p inhibitor/mimic was conducted with CM cells whose viability, proliferation, migration, invasion, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis were measured by CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry. The associations of TUBB with tumor biological characteristics and other proteins were analyzed by CanserSEA and String, respectively. Results High-expressed LINC00665 was detected in CM cells. Silencing LINC00665 decreased CM cell viability; inhibited colony formation, cell cycle progression, migration and invasion; enhanced apoptosis; and upregulated miR-339-3p. LINC00665 targeted miR-339-3p which targeted TUBB. MiR-339-3p upregulation induced effects similar to the LINC00665-silencing-induced effects and could downregulate TUBB, which was associated with malignant behaviors and related to other five proteins. MiR-339-3p downregulation induced the opposite effects of what miR-339-3p upregulation induced, and the miR-339-3p downregulation-induced effects could be reversed by LINC00665 silencing. Conclusion Silencing LINC00665 inhibits in vitro CM progression and induces apoptosis via the miR-339-3p/TUBB axis.