LncRNA NBAT-1 is down-regulated in lung cancer and influences cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression and role of lncRNA NBAT-1 in lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: LncRNA NBAT-1 expression in lung cancer tissues and adjacent areas was detected via reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RAC1 protein was analyzed via Western blotting assay. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry were used to evaluate cell proliferation and apoptosis as well as cell cycle. RESULTS: The expression level of lncRNA NBAT-1 in cancer specimen was remarkably lower than that in adjacent areas. Furthermore, the low expression of lncRNA NBAT-1 had a significant correlation with patient's tumor size, differentiation degree of tumor cells and lymph node metastasis. The overexpression of lncRNA NBAT-1 could inhibit the proliferation and cell cycle, promote the apoptosis of A549 cells, and down-regulate the expression level of RAC1. CONCLUSIONS: The low expression of lncRNA NBAT-1 is involved in the progression of lung cancer.