Long non-conding RNA LOXL1-AS1 sponges miR-589-5p to up-regulate CBX5 expression in renal cell carcinoma

Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common malignant tumor that seriously endangers people’s health. In recent years, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been discovered to play vital roles in diverse cancers, including RCC. LncRNA lysyl oxidase like 1 antisense RNA 1 (LOXL1-AS1) has been found to exert carcinogenic functions in several cancers, but its role and mechanism in RCC have not been investigated. Methods: qRT-PCR was utilized for testing RNA expression and Western blot for protein expression in RCC tissues or cells. Then, we assessed cell function by conducting a series of functional experiments, such as 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine staining, colony formation, flow cytometry, JC-1, Western blot and transwell migration experiments. Following, RNA immunoprecipitation, pull down and luciferase reporter experiments were carried out to explore the regulatory mechanisms of LOXL1-AS1 in RCC. Results: LOXL1-AS1 was highly expressed in RCC tissues and cells. Moreover, knockdown of LOXL1-AS1 hampered RCC cell proliferation and migration. Importantly, miR-589-5p that was lowly expressed and worked as a tumor-inhibitor in RCC was found to bind with LOXL1-AS1. Furthermore, chromobox 5 (CBX5) targeted by miR-589-5p could expedite cell proliferation and migration in RCC. Finally, overexpressed CBX5 or inhibited miR-589-5p reversed the repressive impacts of silenced LOXL1-AS1 on RCC malignant phenotypes. Conclusions: LncRNA LOXL1-AS1 sequestered miR-589-5p to augment CBX5 expression in RCC cells, opening a new way for potential development in RCC treatment.