Long Noncoding RNA UCA1 Regulates PRL-3 Expression by Sponging MicroRNA-495 to Promote the Progression of Gastric Cancer

Abstract Gastric cancer (GC) is among the most frequently occurring malignancies worldwide. In recent years, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been widely studied due to their ability to regulate the cellular processes involved with tumorigenesis. The present study aims to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism by which lncRNA UCA1 influences the progression of GC. Differentially expressed lncRNA UCA1 was initially identified by microarray-based analysis, after which a high expression of UCA1 was determined in GC tissues and cells. It is important to note that UCA1 could up-regulate the expression of PRL-3 by sponging miR-495. The expression of UCA1 and miR-495 was altered in human GC cells to evaluate cell activity in vitro as well as peritoneal metastasis and tumor formation ability in vivo. Results suggested that increased expression of UCA1 promoted cell proliferation, migration and invasion, accompanied by suppressed cell apoptosis, as well as enhanced peritoneal metastasis and tumorigenesis of GC cells. Meanwhile, the up-regulated expression of miR-495 could reverse the promotive effects exerted by UCA1. Taken conjointly, UCA1, as a ceRNA of miR-495, could accelerate the development of GC by up-regulating PRL-3, highlighting a potentially promising basis for the targeted intervention treatment of GC.