TCONS_00012883 promotes proliferation and metastasis via DDX3/YY1/MMP1/PI3K‐AKT axis in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as key regulators in multiple cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the biological functions and molecular mechanisms underlying most lncRNAs in CRC remain largely unknown. METHODS A novel lncRNA (TCONS_00012883) was identified using RNA sequencing. The level of TCONS_00012883 expression in CRC was analyzed by qRT-PCR. The biological functions of TCONS_00012883 in CRC were investigated by a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments: CCK8, colony formation, EdU, flow cytometric assays, transwell assays, and mouse xenograft. The molecular mechanisms of TCONS_00012883 were demonstrated by RNA pulldown, mass spectrometry analysis, RIP, coimmunoprecipitation, RNA sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and rescue experiments. RESULTS Elevated expression of TCONS_00012883 was confirmed in CRC and positively associated with a poor prognosis. Functionally, gain- and loss-of-function assays indicated that TCONS_00012883 promoted proliferation and metastasis of CRC cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, RNA pulldown and mass spectrometry analysis showed that DEAD-box helicase 3 (DDX3) was the protein partner of TCONS_00012883. Furthermore, RNA sequencing assay revealed that matrix metallopeptidase 1 (MMP1) was the downstream of TCONS_00012883. Intriguingly, we found that transcription factor (YY1) could serve as a bridge between TCONS_00012883, DDX3, and MMP1. CONCLUSIONS TCONS_00012883 significantly promoted CRC progression via the DDX3/YY1/MMP1 axis, and thus, may act as a major role in diagnosis and therapy of CRC.