LINC01413/hnRNP-K/ZEB1 Axis Accelerates Cell Proliferation and EMT in Colorectal Cancer via Inducing YAP1/TAZ1 Translocation

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial molecules in tumorigenesis and tumor growth in various human cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Studies have revealed that lncRNAs can regulate cellular processes in cancers by interacting with proteins, for example RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). In this study, we recognize a novel lncRNA called LINC01413 that is upregulated in CRC tissues through lncRNAs microarray. Subsequently, we confirmed that an elevated level of LINC01413 expression in CRC tissues was strongly correlated to clinicopathological features, such as tumor size, tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis, and its association with poor overall survival was also revealed. Additionally, LINC01413 facilitates cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro. Also, silenced LINC01413 restrains tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, LINC01413 binds with hnRNP-K and induces YAP1 (yes-associated protein 1)/TAZ1 (tafazzin) nuclear translocation to regulate the expression of ZEB1 in CRC cells. Taken together, this research suggested LINC01413 as a positive regulator in CRC progression through the LINC01413/hnRNP-K/TAZ1/YAP1/ZEB1 axis, broadening a new view on CRC treatment.