lncRNA FGD5-AS1 promotes breast cancer progression by regulating the hsa-miR-195-5p/NUAK2 axis

Breast cancer is the second most prevalent cancer in women worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified as important regulators of tumorigenesis and tumor metastasis. lncRNA FGD5-AS1 has been previously reported as a carcinogenic gene, however its role in breast cancer has yet to be investigated. The present study aimed to understand the function of lncRNA FGD5-AS1 in breast cancer and examine the underlying molecular mechanisms. Sample tissues for downstream gene expression profiling were collected from patients with breast cancer (n=23). The effect of FGD5-AS1 overexpression on cell viability, invasion and migration has been studied in breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). Changes in glycolysis were monitored by comparing glucose consumption, lactate production and ATP levels. Using StarBase and TargetScan databases a putative interaction between FGD5-AS1, miR-195-5p and SNF1-like kinase 2 (NUAK2) was predicted in silico. Expression levels of FGD5-AS1, has-miR-195-5p and NUAK2 were validated by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and interactions were validated using dual-luciferase reporter assays and RNA pull-down. High expression of lncRNA FGD5-AS1 was detected in breast cancer tissue samples and disease model cell lines. Silencing of FGD5-AS1 led to decreased cell proliferation, migration and invasion. It was identified that at a molecular level FGD5-AS1 serves as a sponge of miR-195-5p and alters the expression of its downstream target gene NUAK2. In breast cancer lncRNA FGD5-AS1 serve a key role in glycolysis and tumor progression via the miR-195-5p/NUAK2 axis. The findings of the present study indicated FGD5-AS1 as a candidate target for intervention in patients with breast cancer.