LncRNA LINC00974 Downregulates miR-122 to Upregulate RhoA in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: LncRNA LINC00974 participates in oral fibrogenesis, indicating its possible involvement in other oral diseases. Results: The authors found that LINC00974 was upregulated in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and predicted poor survival. In OSCC tissues, LINC00974 was inversely correlated with miR-122 and positively correlated with RhoA. In OSCC cells, LINC00974 overexpression resulted in upregulated, whereas overexpression of miR-122 led to downregulated RhoA. Moreover, downregulated miR-122 was observed after LINC00974 overexpression, whereas LINC00974 expression was not significantly affected by miR-122 overexpression. In invasion and migration assay, miR-122 overexpression resulted in reduced, whereas LINC00974 and RhoA overexpression resulted in increased rate of cancer cell migration and invasion. In addition, miR-122 overexpression reduced the effects of LINC00974 overexpression. Conclusion: Therefore, LINC00974 can downregulate miR-122 to upregulate RhoA in OSCC, thereby promoting cell invasion and migration.

Automated summary

The study showed that LINC00974 is upregulated in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and can promote cancer cell invasion and migration by regulating miR-122 and RhoA.