LINC00460 Facilitates Cell Proliferation and Inhibits Ferroptosis in Breast Cancer Through the miR-320a/MAL2 Axis

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in the progression of multiple human cancers including breast cancer. In this study, we aimed to research novel functions of long intergenic noncoding RNA 460 (LINC00460) on cell proliferation and ferroptosis in breast cancer. Method: UALCAN, TANRIC, and GSE16446 data were used to analyze the expression of LINC00460 in breast cancer tissues. Furthermore, real-time quantitative PCR, western blot, cell proliferation assay, iron assay, and malondialdehyde (MDA) assay were applied to detect the function and mechanism of particular molecules. Results: The LINC00460 expression was significantly increased in breast cancer tissues compared with normal tissues. Importantly, patients with high LINC00460 expression showed a longer overall survival rate. LINC00460 knockdown markedly suppressed the proliferation of breast cancer cells and promoted ferroptosis. Mechanistic analysis revealed that LINC00460 promoted myelin and lymphocyte protein 2 (MAL2) expression by sponging miR-320a. Moreover, both miR-320a knockdown and MAL2 overexpression could reverse the effects of LINC00460 silencing on cell proliferation and ferroptosis. Conclusions: In summary, our results reveal an alternative mechanism by which breast cancer cells can acquire resistance to ferroptosis via the LINC00460/miR-320a/MAL2 axis.