Long non-coding RNA LINC01554 overexpression suppresses viability, migration, and invasion of liver cancer cells through regulating miR-148b-3p/EIF4E3

Background Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can be severed as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) to regulate target genes or mRNAs via sponging microRNAs (miRNAs). This study explored the effect of LINC01554 on liver cancer cells through the ceRNA mechanism. Methods Five significantly down-regulated lncRNAs were selected for further verification, and then through bioinformatics, interactive miRNAs and mRNAs of lncRNAs were identified. The relationship between LINC01554, miR-148b-3p and EIF4E3 was detected by the dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Afterwards, HCCLM3 cells were transfected with pCDH-LINC01554, miR-148b-3p inhibitor and miR-148b-3p mimics. Cell viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion were measured by Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometer, and Transwell assays. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot were used to measure the expressions of related genes and proteins. Results LINC01554 was significantly down-regulated in the liver cancer cell lines, and was expressed in the cytoplasm of HCCLM3 cells. LINC01554 overexpression inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCCLM3 cells, and promote their apoptosis (P < 0.05). Besides, LINC01554 overexpression also significantly increased the levels of BAX, BCL2/BAX, P53, cleaved-Caspase3, TIMP3, E-cadherin and EIF4E3 (P < 0.05). Through bioinformatics and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, LINC01554, miR-148b-3p and EIF4E3 were proved to interact with each other. Furthermore, the effects of miR-148b-3p knockdown on HCCLM3 cells were similar with those of LINC01554 overexpression, and miR-148b-3p mimics could reverse the changes of cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion induced by LINC01554 overexpression. Conclusions LINC01554 overexpression could suppress the growth and metastasis of HCCLM3 cells via miR-148b-3p/EIF4E3.