Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women and remains a major global health issue. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in tumor biology regulation. This study investigates the role of LINC01281 in cervical cancer. METHODS: LncRNAs were identified from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, focusing on LINC01281 for detailed analysis. GSEA revealed MYC-mediated VEGF signaling as a potential pathway. Functional assays in HeLa cells assessed the impact of LINC01281 overexpression and knockdown on proliferation, migration, and the MYC-VEGFA pathway. RESULTS: LINC01281 is identified as a unique prognostic marker for cervical cancer. GSEA indicated participation in VEGF signaling through MYC modulation. LINC01281 overexpression inhibited MYC expression, leading to reduced cell proliferation and migration. MYC silencing led to a decreased expression of VEGFA at both transcript and protein levels. LINC01281 encodes a 42-amino acid peptide, highlighting its biological significance. CONCLUSION: LINC01281 influences cervical cancer progression via the MYC-VEGFA pathway and may serve as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target. The lncRNA and its peptide show promise for use in cervical cancer treatment.