Long noncoding RNA ZBED3-AS1 restrains breast cancer progression by targeting the microRNA-513a-5p/KLF6 axis.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly occurring malignancy in women. This study aimed to investigate the functions of the long noncoding RNA ZBED3-AS1 (ZBED3-AS1) in BC and its molecular mechanisms. qRT-PCR was conducted to access the expression of ZBED3-AS1, microRNA-513a-5p (miR-513a-5p), and Kruppel like factor 6 (KLF6) in BC. Additionally, BC cell viability and proliferative capacity were measured by MTT and 5-Ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays. A transwell assay was used for evaluating BC cell migration and invasion. The interactions among ZBED3-AS1, miR-513a-5p, and KLF6 in BC were confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Furthermore, feedback approaches were performed to determine whether ZBED3-AS1 influences BC cell behaviors by regulating the miR-513a-5p/KLF6 axis. The murine xenograft model was established to assess the effect of ZBED3-AS1 on tumor growth. The expression of ZBED3-AS1 and KLF6 was reduced, while miR-513a-5p expression was elevated in BC. ZBED3-AS1 elevation attenuated the malignant behaviors of BC cells, including viability, proliferative capacity, migration, and invasion. Mechanical experiments revealed that ZBED3-AS1 targeted miR-513a-5p, and miR-513a-5p targeted KLF6 in BC. Feedback approaches validated that miR-513a-5p overexpression or KLF6 depletion reversed the inhibitory effects of ZBED3-AS1 upregulation on viability, proliferative capacity, migration, and invasion of BC cells. Furthermore, ZBED3-AS1 elevation attenuated the tumor growth in the murine xenograft model. ZBED3-AS1 hindered the malignant development of BC cells by regulating the miR-513a-5p/KLF6 axis, providing a novel therapeutic target in BC.