Long noncoding RNA 01534 maintains cancer stemness by downregulating endoplasmic reticulum stress response in colorectal cancer

Abstract Background Studies have shown that cancer stemness and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response are inversely regulated in colorectal cancer (CRC), but the mechanism has not been fully clarified. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in cancer progression and metastasis. In this study we investigated lncRNA 01534 (LINC01534) as a possible modulator between cancer stemness and ER stress response. Methods In vitro experiments using CRC cell lines were performed to explore a possible role of LINC01534. The expression of LINC01534 in clinical CRC samples was assessed by quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and in situ hybridization. Results Silencing LINC01534 led to suppression of cell proliferation, invasiveness, and cell cycle progression at the G2‐M phase, and promoted apoptosis. Moreover, we found that silencing LINC01534 suppressed cancer stemness, while it activated the ER stress response, especially through the PERK/eIF2α signaling pathway. In situ hybridization revealed LINC01534 was expressed in tumor cells and upregulated in CRC tissues compared with normal epithelium. A survival survey indicated that high LINC01534 expression was significantly associated with shorter overall survival in 187 CRC patients. Conclusion This is the first report on LINC01534 in human cancer. Our findings suggest that LINC01534 may be an important modulator of the maintenance of cancer stemness and suppression of the ER stress response, and that it could be a novel prognostic factor in CRC.