Long noncoding RNA PCA3 contributes to the progression of choriocarcinoma by acting as a ceRNA against miR-106b

Background: Choriocarcinoma is the most aggressive gestational trophoblastic disease, with massive local trophoblast invasion and vascular percolation, resulting in multiple organ metastases. Recent evidence has shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in tumor progression. This study aimed to investigate the expression and role of lncRNA PCA3 in the progression of choriocarcinoma. Methods: First, the expression of lncRNA PCA3 in choriocarcinoma cells was detected using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Then functional assays such as cell proliferation assay, wound healing assay, and invasion assay were conducted to determine the role of PCA3. In addition, the specific molecular mechanism was studied using western blot, luciferase assay, and rescue experiment. Results: We demonstrated that the expression of PCA3 is significantly higher in choriocarcinoma cells in contrast to normal human chorionic trophoblast cells. Furthermore, PCA3 could promote cell proliferation, migration and invasion in gestational choriocarcinoma cells and facilitated epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro. In addition, PAC3 could directly bind to miR-106b and effectively liberate the expression of its endogenous target matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2). Conclusion: Our results suggest that PCA3 contributes to the progression of choriocarcinoma by acting as a ceRNA against miR-106b.