LncRNA NEAT1/miR-204/NUAK1 Axis is a Potential Therapeutic Target for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Ming-Ming Zhao, Lin-Yang Ge, Liang-Feng Yang, Hai-Xia Zheng, Gang Chen, Li-Zheng Wu, Shao-Ming Shi, Nan Wang, Yan-Ping Hang Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, People’s Hospital of Gaochun, Nanjing 211300, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yan-Ping HangDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, People’s Hospital of Gaochun, No. 53, Maoshan Road, Nanjing 211300, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 25-57311232Email hangyanping4444@163.comBackground: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is a key part of non-coding RNA, and more and more evidence has revealed that it plays a vital role in tumors. NEAT1 is a lncRNA discovered in the early stage. However, it is still unclear whether NEAT1 and miR-204 play a regulatory role in lung cancer (LC). This research aimed to determine the biological function of NEAT1/miR-204 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Materials and Methods: In order to research the function of NEAT1 in NSCLC, RT-PCR, Western blot, luciferase assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay were used to determine the relationship between NEAT1, miR-204 and NUAK1. CCK8 test, cell migration and invasion test were used to explore the influence of NEAT1 on proliferation and metastasis of LC cells. Tumor allotransplantation was used to detect the influence of NEAT1 on the growth of LC.Results: The results revealed that NEAT1 was obviously enhanced in LC cell lines. Further functional analysis showed that low expression of NEAT1 obviously suppressed the growth, migration and invasion of NSCLC and facilitated cell apoptosis. Determination of luciferase reporter gene revealed that miR-204 was the direct target of NEAT1 in LC. In addition, NUAK1 was called the direct target of miR-204, and miR-204/NUAK1 had saved the role of NEAT1 in NSCLC cells. Tumor allotransplantation experiments showed that knocking down NEAT1 could inhibit the growth of LC.Conclusion: In summary, our results showed that the down-regulation of NEAT1 in NSCLC inhibited its growth, migration and invasion through the miR-204/NUAK1 axis.Keywords: NEAT1, miR-204, NUAK1, non-small cell lung cancer