Knockdown of long non-coding RNA LCPAT1 inhibits autophagy in lung cancer

Objective: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in numerous biological processes in lung cancer cells. In our previousstudies, we identified a lncRNA, ENST00000439577, which is highly expressed in lung carcinomas, and termed it lung cancerprogression-associated transcript 1 (LCPAT1). To characterize the role of LCPAT1 in lung cancer, we conducted the current study. Methods: Expression of LCPAT1 and autophagy-associated markers in tumor tissues and lung cancer cell lines was determined byreal-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, qPCR, Western blot, andimmunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate xenografted tumor tissues. Autophagy induced by rapamycin was detected byWestern blot and immunofluorescence in lung cancer cell lines. Results: Expression of LCPAT1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta (LC3B) was positively correlated in lungcancer. Knockdown of LCPAT1 inhibited tumor growth and suppressed cell autophagy in vivo. Moreover, LCPAT1 knockdown inlung cancer cell lines resulted in decreased autophagy-associated gene expression and alleviated the cell autophagy induced byrapamycin. Conclusions: We speculate that LCPAT1 plays a crucial role in regulating autophagy in lung cancer.