E2F1-induced upregulation of lncRNA HCG18 stimulates proliferation and migration in gastric cancer by binding to miR-197-3p.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: LncRNA HCG18 is considered to be an oncogene in many types of tumors. The aim of this study was to explore the role of lncRNA HCG18 in gastric cancer (GC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: HCG18 levels in GC tissues were detected. Potential biological influences of HCG18 on GC cell phenotypes were examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing and transwell assay. Subsequently, bioinformatics analysis, Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), Luciferase assay and rescue experiments were conducted to identify the regulatory network of HCG18 in GC. RESULTS: It was found that HCG18 was upregulated in GC samples, and the knockdown of HCG18 inhibited proliferative and migratory abilities in GC. The transcription factor E2F1 could directly bind to the promoter region of HCG18 and thus activate its transcription. In addition, HCG18 sponged miR-197-3p to stimulate the malignant development of GC. CONCLUSIONS: HCG18 is upregulated in GC samples by E2F1 induction, which stimulates proliferative and migratory abilities in GC by binding to miR-197-3p.