TPRG1-AS1 induces RBM24 expression and inhibits liver cancer progression by sponging miR-4691-5p and miR-3659

Background & aims Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play critical roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. Here, by performing RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) profiling, we sought to identify novel ncRNAs that potentially drive the heterogeneous progression of liver cancers. Methods RNA-Seq profiles were obtained from 68 HCC specimens and ten samples of adjacent non-tumor liver tissues. The functional significance of the potential driver ncRNAs was evaluated by cell experiments. Results TPRG1-AS1 was identified as a potential driver noncoding RNA that promotes heterogeneous liver cancer progression. TPRG1-AS1 induced tumor suppressor RNA-binding motif protein 24 (RBM24), suppressing tumor growth by activating apoptotic tumor cell death. In addition, we report that TPRG1-AS1 acts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for RBM24, sponging miR-4691-5p and miR-3659 to interfere with their binding to RBM24. Conclusions We suggest that TPRG1-AS1 is a novel ceRNA sponging miR-4691-5p and miR-3659, resulting in RBM24 expression and suppression of liver cancer growth. Our results provide new insights into the functions of ncRNAs in heterogeneous HCC progression.