Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the function of long non‑coding RNA TUG1 in hypoxia‑induced myocardial cell injury and to explore the potential molecular mechanisms. The cardiomyocyte cell line H9c2 was cultured under hypoxic and normoxic conditions. TUG1 expression under hypoxic conditions was then detected. The effects of TUG1 overexpression on viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion were assayed. In addition, the microRNA (miR)‑145‑5p expression was detected. Following H9c2 cell transfection with miR‑145‑5p mimics, the H9c2 cell viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion were also detected. Additionally, the target gene of miR‑145‑5p was assayed by Luciferase reporter assay. The protein expressions of Wnt‑3a, Wnt5a, and β‑catenin in H9c2 cells under hypoxic conditions were also determined. The results revealed that hypoxia induced injury in H9c2 cells, including inhibiting cell viability, migration and invasion, and promoting cell apoptosis. Overexpression of TUG1 aggravated hypoxia‑induced injury in H9c2 cells. In addition, miR‑145‑5p was negatively regulated by TUG1, and TUG1 overexpression aggravated hypoxia‑induced injury via the downregulation of miR‑145‑5p. Furthermore, B‑cell lymphoma 2 interacting protein 3 (Bnip3) was a target of miR‑145‑5p, and overexpression of Bnip3 aggravated hypoxia‑induced cell injury by activating Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathways in H9c2 cells. In conclusion, overexpression of TUG1 aggravated hypoxia‑induced injury in cardiomyocytes by regulating the miR‑145‑5p‑Binp3 axis. Activation of the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway may be a key mechanism to mediate the role of TUG1 in regulating hypoxia‑induced myocardial injury. TUG1 may be an effective diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for myocardial ischemia.