LncRNA NCK1-AS1 promotes proliferation and induces cell cycle progression by crosstalk NCK1-AS1/miR-6857/CDK1 pathway

The purpose of this study was to develop an lncRNA signature to improve the prediction of the prognosis of cervical cancer through integration bioinformatics and analysis of TCGA RNA sequencing data. In this study, we established a set of four lncRNA signatures that was significantly associated with recurrence-free survival using the Cox regression model. Functionally, we screened the CC-associated lncRNA NCK1-AS1 as a new candidate lncRNA and regulator which promotes development and progression in CC. qRT-PCR and RNA in situ hybridization (RISH) results showed that NCK1-AS1 was significantly up-regulated in 77.4% (24/31) of the CC tissue group compared with the normal group (P < 0.01). Interestingly, we demonstrated that transcription factor SP1 directly binds to the promoter to activate NCK1-AS1 expression in SiHa cells. In vitro and in vivo assays of silencing NCK1-AS1 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and invasion, with induction of cell arrest in S phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, Human Transcriptome Array 2.0 analysis after NCK1-AS1 silencing highlighted alterations in cell proliferation and cell cycle pathways. NCK1-AS1 functioned as a molecular sponge for miR-6857, antagonizing its ability to repress CDK1/6 protein translation. In conclusion, these findings suggest that NCK1-AS1/miR-6857/CDK1 crosstalk serve as a critical effector in cervical cancer progression and may serve as a potential target in cervical cancer.