TUC338 Overexpression Leads to Enhanced Proliferation and Reduced Apoptosis in Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells In Vitro.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Long noncoding RNAs are closely related to the development of tumors. In this study, we explored the contribution of the long noncoding RNA TUC338 to cellular processes in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: First, we detected TUC338 expression using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in 25 patients. Then, we transfected a short hairpin RNA to silence TUC338 expression in the CAL-27 and SCC-9 cell lines. Tumor cell growth was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and apoptosis and cell-cycle analyses were performed via flow cytometry. RESULTS: The results indicated that TUC338 was overexpressed in TSCCs (P < .05). In addition, silencing TUC338 in CAL-27 and SCC-9 cells inhibited cell growth and increased apoptosis significantly in vivo (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Long noncoding RNA TUC338 overexpression leads to enhanced proliferation and reduced apoptosis in TSCC.