LncRNA LEF1-AS1 Promotes Metastasis of Prostatic Carcinoma via the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway
Abstract Background: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are important functional regulators in cancer, have emerged as critical molecular regulators in various biological processes. However, the mechanisms by which LEF1-AS1 modulates Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer (AIPC) development remain largely unknown.Methods: The LEF1-AS1 expression level was detected in tumour tissues and adjacent normal tissues of AIPC patients by using next-generation sequencing technology and qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were assessed by colony formation, EDU assays and transwell assays, respectively. Xenograft assay was conducted to determine the effect of LEF1-AS1 on cell proliferation in vivo.Results: LEF1-AS1 promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenic ability of AIPC cells in vitro and in vivo. In this mechanism, LEF1-AS1 recruited the transcription factor C-myb to the promoter region of FZD2, which activated FZD2 transcription. Moreover, LEF1-AS1 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) acting as a sponge for miR-328, which activated CD44.Conclusion: Collectively, these data indicate that LEF1-AS1 is a tumour promoter in the development of AIPC and that it may contribute to the improvement of AIPC diagnosis and therapy.