A novel LINC00478 serves as a tumor suppressor in endometrial carcinoma progression.

BACKGROUND: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of various cancers, but their roles in endometrial cancer (EC) are largely unknown. METHODS: The expressions of LINC00478 and PTBP1 in EC tissues were determined by RT-qPCR. Cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry and Transwell assays were executed for detecting the roles of LINC00478 in EC cells proliferation, migration and invasion. The mouse-xenograft models were established by subcutaneous injection in vivo. The interaction between LINC00478 and PTBP1 was confirmed by RNA pull-down assay and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation assay. RESULTS: LINC00478 was significantly down-regulated in EC tissues while compared to that in their paracancerous samples, and a higher expression level of LINC00478 was negatively correlated with clinical progress of EC patients. Functional experiments in vivo and in vitro revealed that LINC00478 overexpression could dramatically retard the proliferation of EC cells, decrease the rate of colony formation, suppress the migration and invasion abilities of EC cells in vitro and inhibit tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, LINC00478 regulated the expression of PTBP1, a key factor in the Warburg effect, and affected the metabolic process of EC cells. CONCLUSIONS: LINC00478 acts as a tumor suppressor in EC by negatively controlling PTBP1 expression and influencing the Warburg effect, providing a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for patients with EC.