METTL3/YTHDC1-mediated upregulation of LINC00294 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression.

ABSTRACT

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly prevalent malignancy and the third highest contributor to cancer-associated deaths globally. Research has increasingly demonstrated a strong correlation between long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and the incidence and progression of HCC. Nonetheless, the exact mechanism whereby the function of lncRNAs in HCC has not been elucidated. This study explored the pathological role of LINC00294 in HCC, as well as the modulatory mechanism involved. Based on the "The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)" database and validation in HCC cell lines and tissues, the expression of LINC00294 was discovered to be upregulated in HCC tissues and correlated with tumor grade and the prognosis of patients with HCC. Functionally, LINC00294 stimulated the proliferation of HCC cells as well as the Warburg effect (aerobic glycolysis) to enhance progression of tumor in vivo. Mechanistically, METTL3/YTHDC1-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification underwent a significant enrichment within LINC00294 and was shown to enhance its RNA stability. Moreover, LINC00294 promoted the interaction between YTHDC1 and HK2 and GLUT1 mRNA. Overall, our study illustrates the m6A modification-mediated epigenetic mechanism of LINC00294 expression and regulatory role in HK2and GLUT1 mRNA expression and indicate LINC00294 as a potential biomarker panel for prognostic prediction and treatment in HCC.