A new candidate oncogenic lncRNA derived from pseudogene WFDC21P promotes tumor progression in gastric cancer

Abstract

As oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate the biological behavior of gastric cancer (GC) cells such as proliferation, invasion, and metastasis through various signal pathways. At present, although numerous lncRNAs that significantly influence the development and progression of GC have been identified, a considerable number of them have not been found and studied yet. In this study, we identified a new lncRNA derived from pseudogenes WFDC21P, which have not been reported in any previous GC study. LncRNA WFDC21P was significantly upregulated in GC cells and tissues, and clinically associated with the pathological stages of advanced GC. WFDC21P promoted proliferation and metastasis of GC cells both in vitro and in vivo. LncRNA WFDC21P was directly bound to GTPase Ran and it promoted the activity of the Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway. Forkhead Box P3 (FOXP3), as a transcription factor of WFDC21P, was directly bound to the promoter region and it positively regulated the transcription of WFDC21P. This finding may provide a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for GC.

Downregulation of LOC441461 Promotes Cell Growth and Motility in Human Gastric Cancer

“…Recent reports on the different functions of lncRNAs have highlighted their involvement in tumor development and progression [ 18 , 31 ]. Moreover, the investigation of the molecular and cellular functions of lncRNAs may lead to the identification of therapeutic targets and the design of strategies for the treatment of gastric cancer [ 18 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. By examining the association between lncRNA LOC441461 expression level and TNM stage, we identified biological processes in gastric cancer.…”

“…In addition, it was found that lncRNAs regulate gastric cancer cells via diverse contexts, such as regulating the EMT process and PI3K/AKT pathway [ 22 , 31 , 40 ]. The EMT is considered as a key role in human malignancies activated during tumor metastasis [ 41 ].…”

Characterization of Long Non-Coding RNAs in the Bollworm, Helicoverpa zea, and Their Possible Role in Cry1Ac-Resistance

“…They can play a key role in the regulation of their parent genes (ex., a lncRNA derived from a CYP pseudogene regulates a CYP mRNA) [51,58]. Certain pseudogenes are known to transcribe for non-coding RNAs, such as lncRNAs [59,60]. The non-coding RNAs derived from pseudogene sequences can then act as specific regulators of parent coding genes where the derived non-coding RNAs tend to have high sequence similarity to parent genes [59,60].…”

“…Certain pseudogenes are known to transcribe for non-coding RNAs, such as lncRNAs [59,60]. The non-coding RNAs derived from pseudogene sequences can then act as specific regulators of parent coding genes where the derived non-coding RNAs tend to have high sequence similarity to parent genes [59,60]. Previously thought to be untranslated, some pseudogenes are translated in humans; it is unknown if this occurs in insects [59,60].…”

“…The non-coding RNAs derived from pseudogene sequences can then act as specific regulators of parent coding genes where the derived non-coding RNAs tend to have high sequence similarity to parent genes [59,60]. Previously thought to be untranslated, some pseudogenes are translated in humans; it is unknown if this occurs in insects [59,60]. Pseudogenes can be located anywhere within a genome but often are adjacent to their functional parent genes [51,58].…”