LncRNA DNAJC3-AS1 functions as oncogene in renal cell carcinoma via regulation of the miR-27a-3p/PRDM14 axis.

OBJECTIVE Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most common urological malignancies worldwide. Although great advances have been made in the diagnosis and management of RCC, its prognosis remains unsatisfactory. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found to be essential factors in the initiation and development of cancer. The current study aimed to measure the expression and functions of lncRNA DNAJC3-AS1 in the progression of clear cell RCC (ccRCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS The expression of lncRNA DNAJC3-AS1 was detected in 30 pairs of ccRCC tissues and in cell lines by RT-PCR, and its prognostic association with ccRCC was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of ccRCC cells were measured after silencing DNAJC3-AS1. The interaction between DNAJC3-AS1, miR-27a-3p and PRDM14 was identified by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay. The protein levels were measured by Western blotting. RESULTS The expression of DNAJC3-AS1 was upregulated in ccRCC tissues and cell lines compared to their normal counterparts. In vitro, silencing DNAJC3-AS1 reduced the proliferation, migration and invasion of ccRCC cells. Downregulation of DNAJC3-AS1 also led to the apoptosis of ccRCC cells. Moreover, we also found that DNAJC3-AS1 acted as a sponge of miR-27a-3p and identified PRDM14 as a target of miR-27a-3p. CONCLUSIONS LncRNA DNAJC3-AS1 acts as an oncogene and plays an essential role in the tumorigenesis of ccRCC, possibly via the regulation of the miR-27a-3p/PRDM14 axis.