LncRNA TPTEP1 inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer cells by targeting miR-761/LATS2 axis.

Objective Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is highly metastatic that can lead to high fatality rate. This study aimed at investigating the possible role of LncRNA TPTEP1 (TPTEP1) in NSCLC progression. Methods Cell proliferation was determined by MTT and colony formation assays. Transwell and scratch assays were adopted to assess cellular metastasis. RT-qPCR and western blot were used to detect TPTEP1 expression transcriptionally and translationally, respectively. The dual luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay were used to identify the specific target relationships. Results Compared with the normal adjacent tissues, the expressions of TPTEP1 and LATS2 were significantly down-regulated in the NSCLC tissues, while the expression of miR-761 was significantly increased. Overexpression of TPTEP1 exhibited substantial antitumor effects on NSCLC, including inhibition of cell proliferation and metastasis, which was achieved by targeting miR-761 and subsequently attenuated the expression of LATS2. LATS2 was identified as a direct target of miR-761. Overexpression of miR-761 could significantly block the inhibitory effects of TPTEP1 on NSCLC, which clearly indicated that miR-761 played an oncogenic role in promoting proliferation and metastasis, while its downstream factor, LATS2, exerted opposite effects. Conclusion The study showed that TPTEP1 played an inhibitory role in cancer progression of NSCLC cells by regulating miR-761/LATS2 cascade, thereby highlighting the potential therapeutic significance of TPTEP1/miR-761/LATS2 axis.