Bioinformatics and Prediction Analysis of Long Non-coding RNAs in the Regulation of Glioblastoma Cell Migration and Invasion

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has been identified in the regulation of cell-invasion via various cellular processes. Research on lncRNAs is however lacking in the context of Glioblastoma (GBM), which held-up identification of GBM-related lncRNAs via bioinformatic databases. This study intends to identify potential lncRNA candidates in the regulation of GBM cell-invasion based on target miRNA and mRNA/proteins. Microarray was carried out to identify upregulated lncRNA in GBM and astrocytoma cells, followed by bioinformatics-based prediction analysis to identify lncRNAs involved in cellular processes related to GBM cell-invasion. A total of 372 and 806 upregulated lncRNA were identified in GBM and astrocytoma cells. From these lncRNAs, 8 lncRNAs were predicted based on functions of target proteins; LINC00221 associated with EMT, LINC01564 and LINC00265 with angiogenesis, and LOC100240735 with cell-migration. Network analysis of lncRNA based on function of target miRNAs predicted LINC00999, ALOX12-AS1, CHKB-AS1, and LINC01588 as regulators of angiogenesis, with LINC00482, LINC00239, and LINC01003 for regulation of EMT. Based on the network analysis, three novel lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interacting axis from NEAT1, CRNDE, and SNHG1 were predicted to regulate GBM invasion. These findings have allowed prediction of lncRNA as regulators of GBM cell-invasion which can be considered as potential candidates for experimental studies as a GBM prognostic biomarkers.