Abstract
Although accumulating evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are critical determinants of ovarian cancer development and progression, reports of metastasis-associated lncRNAs are limited. Here, we focused on NONHSAT076754 and explored its expression level, clinical value, biological behavior and molecular basis in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) metastasis. The results showed that NONHSAT076754 expression was increased in EOC tissues and cell lines and that this expression was closely related with FIGO stage, high tumor grade and lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, NONHSAT076754 knockdown markedly inhibited EOC cell migration and invasion in vitro. Consistently, the in vivo data from both the bioluminescence imaging and tumor dissection revealed that depletion of NONHSAT076754 reduced EOC metastasis. Mechanically, the pro-metastatic activities of NONHSAT076754 were partially regulated by PTEN and HTATIP2. Further rescue assays validated that knockdown of HTATIP2 remarkably reversed NONHSAT076754 silencer-induced inhibition of EOC cell metastasis. These data indicate that NONHSAT076754 is a vital regulator of EOC metastasis, laying the foundation for lncRNA-based clinical management of EOC aggressiveness and metastasis.