Long noncoding RNA PROX1-AS1 promoted ovarian cancer cell proliferation and metastasis by suppressing KLF6.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumor progression has attracted much attention worldwide. Numerous studies have identified lncRNA PROX1-AS1 as an oncogene in cancers. Therefore, the aim of this research was to explore the function of PROX1-AS1 in the development of ovarian cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: PROX1-AS1 expression in both ovarian cancer patients and normal subjects was detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Subsequently, PROX1-AS1 shRNA was constructed and transfected in vitro. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, colony formation assay, transwell assay, and Matrigel assay were utilized to detect the function of PROX1-AS1 in ovarian cancer. In addition, the potential mechanism was explored using qRT-PCR and Western blot assay. RESULTS: PROX1-AS1 was highly expressed in ovarian carcinoma samples and cell lines (p<0.05). The proliferation, migration, and invasion of ovarian cells were significantly inhibited after PROX1-AS1 was downregulated in vitro (p<0.05). Besides, the mRNA and protein expressions of KLF6 were significantly promoted after PROX1-AS1 knockdown in ovarian cancer cells (p<0.05). Further functional assays showed that KLF6 expression was negatively correlated with PROX1-AS1 expression in ovarian cancer samples. CONCLUSIONS: PROX1-AS1 enhances the metastasis and proliferation of ovarian cancer cells via suppressing KLF6. Our findings suggest that PROX1-AS1 may be applied as a novel target for therapy of ovarian cancer.