Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) can act as oncogene and tumor suppressor genes in many types of cancers including breast cancer (BC). Our previous study has indicated microRNA (miR)-125a-5p was downregulated and function as a tumor suppressor in BC. However, its upstream regulation mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we used bioinformatics algorithms, RNA pulldown assay, and dual-luciferase reports assay to predict and confirm lncRNA CERS6-AS1 interacted with miR-125a-5p. Then we found CERS6-AS1 was upregulated in BC tissues. Experimental results of tumor growth in nude mice show that CERS6-AS1 promotes tumor growth. Furthermore, CERS6-AS1 regulated BC susceptibility gene 1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) expression via sponging miR-125a-5p via Western blot analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction arrays. Finally, we showed that miR-125a-5p had opposing effects to those of CERS6-AS1 on BC cells, demonstrating that CERS6-AS1 may promote cell proliferation and inhibit cell apoptosis via sponging miR-125a-5p. Our results indicated CERS6-AS1 promote BC cell proliferation and inhibit cell apoptosis via sponging miR-125a-5p to upregulate BAP1 expression.