Abstract
BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in cancer development, yet their roles in renal carcinoma remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: We performed this study in order to investigate the expression and roles of lncRNAs in renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the expression of lncRNAs in renal cell carcinoma through microarray analysis. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to measure the expression of lncRNAs. Gain- or loss-of-function experiments were performed to investigate the roles of lncRNAs in cell proliferation and apoptosis. RNA pull-down and western blotting were performed to explore the underlying mechanism. RESULTS: The microarray analysis identified an upregulated lncRNA MIR4435-1HG in renal carcinoma. The expression level of MIR4435-1HG was correlated with TNM stage, tumor size, and Fuhrman grade. High expression of MIR4435-1HG indicated poor prognosis. MIR4435-1HG knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, and suppressed the migrating and invasive capacity of renal carcinoma cells. RNA pull-down followed by mass spectrometry revealed an interaction between MIR4435-1HG and pyruvate carboxylase, which was later corroborated by western blotting. CONCLUSIONS: MIR4435-1HG plays a critical role in the oncogenesis of renal cell carcinoma and may serve as a potential biomarker for renal cell carcinoma.