Long non-coding RNA MIAT promotes gastric cancer proliferation and metastasis via modulating the miR-331-3p/RAB5B pathway

Gastric cancer (GC) remains a threat to the health of the global population. The present study investigated the effects and mechanisms of the long non-coding RNA myocardial infarction associated transcript (MIAT) on the proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis of GC (HGC-27 and AGS) cells. The expression levels of MIAT, micoRNA (miR)-331-3p and RAB5B mRNA were analyzed using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis. Cell growth, apoptosis, migration and invasion were measured using 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine, flow cytometry, wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. A luciferase assay was used to determine whether miR-331-3p targeted MIAT and RAB5B. The results indicated that MIAT levels were significantly upregulated in GC tissues and cells, correlated with RAB5B levels and inversely associated with miR-331-3p levels. MIAT overexpression promoted proliferation and metastasis, and inhibited the apoptosis of GC cells. MIAT knockdown had the opposite effect on GC cells. The rescue experiments revealed that the effects of MIAT knockdown on the biological behaviour of GC cells were attenuated by RAB5B overexpression. These data suggest that MIAT promotes GC progression via modulating miR-331-3p/RAB5B pathway.