The function of long noncoding RNA HOTAIRM1 in the progression of prostate cancer cells

Emerging evidence is indicating the importance of hundreds of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the occurrence and progression of different malignancies such as prostate cancer (PCa). This study investigated the possible role of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA myeloid-specific 1 (HOTAIRM1) in the progression of tumorigenesis of PC3 as PCa cell line. RT-qPCR was used to measure HOTAIRM1 expression levels in PC3 and RWPE-1 cell lines. To detect the effect of HOTAIRM1 in the progression of PCa, HOTAIRM1 was silenced on PC3 cells with specific siRNA and transfected into cells using a liposomal approach. Using MTT assay, the effects of si-HOTAIRM1 on cell viability and proliferation were evaluated. Cell apoptosis was analysed using flow cytometry and Wnt pathway-related proteins by Western blot. HOTAIRM1 was overexpressed in PC3 cells compared with RWPE-1 cells. Reducing HOTAIRM1 alleviated cell proliferation and increased apoptosis of PC3 cells so that the expression of pro-apoptotic agents such as Bad and Bax was significantly increased, while that of Bid and Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic) was decreased. Furthermore, HOTAIRM1 silencing suppressed the Wnt pathway. Overall, HOTAIRM1 silencing in PC3 cells inhibited the proliferative ability and promoted the apoptosis of PCa cells by suppressing the Wnt pathway, thereby inhibiting the progression of PCa.