Knockdown of long non-coding RNA LINC00324 inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cell via targeting miR-214-3p

OBJECTIVE: Increasing evidence demonstrated that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) played a vital role in human tumorigenesis and progression. including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the function of lncRNA LINC00324 on the development of CRC and explore the possible mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression level of LINC00324 and miR-214-3p was measured by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in CRC cells. The effects on cell proliferation, migration and invasion were assessed by MTT and transwell assays. respectively. In addition, the protein levels of cyclin D1, p21, p27 and three MMPs were detected by Western blot analysis. The target of LINC00324 was predicted by online software and confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: We first detected the expression of LIN00324 was increased while miR-214-3p was decreased in CRC cells. Knockdown of LIN00324 suppressed proliferation, migration and invasion in SW620 and HCT15 cells. Moreover, overexpression of miR-214-3p also inhibited CRC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Then, we identified miR-214-3p as directly target of LINC00324 and the expression of miR-214-3p was downregulated by LINC00324. In addition, inhibiting miR-214-3p reversed the effects of LINC00324 on CRC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. CONCLUSIONS: Our results proved that LINC00324 regulated CRC cell proliferation, migration and invasion by sponging miR-214-3p, suggesting that it might be a potential therapeutic target for CRC therapy.