LOC100506691 Is an Oncogenic Long Noncoding RNA that Promotes Growth and Motility of Lung Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Lung cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Understanding the detailed mechanisms of lung carcinogenesis can improve the survival rates of patients with lung cancer. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are large (>200 nucleotides) noncoding RNAs that play a key role in various types of human cancer by regulating the proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis of cancer cells. LOC100506691 is an oncogene that promotes the growth and metastasis of cancer cells. However, its biological role in lung cancer remains unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression levels and clinical significance of LOC100506691 in lung cancer were analyzed using public databases. The biological function of LOC100506691 was investigated in lung cancer cell lines following siRNA-mediated knockdown, with assessments of cell proliferation, colony formation, motility, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression. Potential signaling pathways affected by LOC100506691 knockdown were examined through western blotting and pathway enrichment analysis. RESULTS: According to public databases, the expression of LOC100506691 is significantly higher in lung cancer cells than in adjacent normal tissues. These high expression levels of LOC100506691 are strongly associated with poor survival outcomes in patients with lung cancer. Knockdown of LOC100506691 significantly suppresses the proliferation, colony formation ability, and metastasis of lung cancer cells. In lung cancer cells, LOC100506691 knockdown impairs the cell cycle progression and induces apoptosis by modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that LOC100506691 is a novel lncRNA that promotes the growth and metastasis of lung cancer cells and therefore provide valuable insights that can aid in the development of lung cancer therapy.