The lncRNA UBE2R2-AS1 suppresses cervical cancer cell growth in vitro

PURPOSE: This study explores the effects and mechanisms of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) UBE2R2-AS1 activity in the cervical cancer development. METHODS: Thirty-four pairs of normal adjacent and cancer tissues were collected from cervical cancer patients. Pathology was evaluated by HE staining, and UBE2R2-AS1 expression was evaluated by in situ hybridization assays. HeLa and SiHa cells were respectively divided into negative control, pcDNA 3.1 vehicle control and lncRNA-expressing groups. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured by CCK8 expression and flow cytometry. The number of invading cells and the wound healing rate were measured by transwell and wound healing assays, respectively. Relative protein levels (caspase-3, caspase-8, MMP-2 and MMP-9) were measured by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with adjacent normal tissues, UBE2R2-AS1 expression was significantly suppressed in cancer tissues correlated with the increasing stage. UBE2R2-AS1 suppressed cell proliferation and enhanced apoptosis, as well as decreased cell invasion and wound healing in cervical cancer cell lines. UBE2R2-AS1 overexpression significantly upregulated caspase-3 and caspase-8 protein expressions and significantly downregulated MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expressions by Western blot. CONCLUSION: UBE2R2-AS1 suppressed cervical cancer cell biological activities and might represent an antitumor factor in cervical cancer.