RESUMO
Long noncoding RNA taurine upregulated gene 1 (lncRNA TUG1) and microRNA196a (miR196a) have been reported to serve important roles in the development of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, their potential mechanisms have not been completely elucidated. The aim of the present study was to clarify the biological functions of lncRNATUG1 and miR196a, in addition to investigating the interaction between lncRNATUG1 and microRNA196a, providing a novel insight into RCC tumorigenesis. The present study comprised two parts. In the first part, lncRNATUG1 was confirmed as an oncogene, via reverse transcriptionquantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR) analysis, MTT assay, flow cytometry analysis, and migration and invasion assays. In the second part, the association between lncRNATUG1 and miR196a, and the molecular mechanism, was illustrated via RTqPCR analysis, MTT assay, dual luciferase reporter assay and western blotting. The results of the present study demonstrated that lncRNATUG1 was able to promote RCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro by suppressing miR196a. Additionally, lncRNATUG1 achieved its biological functions by regulating the expression levels of RACα serine/threonineprotein kinase, mitogenactivated protein kinase and extracellular signalregulated kinase via inhibition of miR196a. In conclusion, the present findings proposed a novel potential therapeutic target, the lncRNATUG1miR196a axis, which may be applicable to the treatment of RCC.