LINC00942 Promotes Tumor Proliferation and Metastasis in Lung Adenocarcinoma via FZD1 Upregulation

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play important roles in the progression of human cancers. Herein, bioinformatic analysis identified that LINC00942 was a highly overexpressed lncRNA in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). The present study aimed to explore the roles and possible molecular mechanisms of LINC00942 in LUAD. METHODS: First, on the basis of TCGA database, the expression and prognosis of LINC00942 were analyzed in LUAD tissues. Then, si-LINC00942 was transfected into A549 and H1299 cells to knockdown the expression of LINC00942. Cell viability was detected by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell apoptosis. The expressions of PCNA, Bax, Bcl-2, and wnt/β-catenin pathway proteins were detected by western blotting. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to evaluate the regulatory relationship between LINC00942 and miR-5006-5p, or miR-5006-5p and FZD1. RESULTS: We discovered that LINC00942 was up-regulated in LUAD tissues compared with adjacent tissues. Besides, we found the increased LINC00942 expression was associated with poor survival. In addition, silencing of LINC00942 suppressed the proliferation, migration, invasion and facilitated the apoptosis of A549 and H1299 cells. Moreover, silencing of LINC00942 repressed the expression of PCNA, Bcl-2, and enhanced Bax expression in A549 and H1299 cells. Mechanically, LINC00942 exerted its effects via enhancing Wnt signaling. LINC00942 functioned as competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by binding to miR-5006-5p, upregulating the expression of FZD1, which was a direct target of miR-5006-5p. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that LINC00942/miR-5006-5p/FZD1 axis played important roles in LUAD growth through enhancing Wnt signaling. LINC00942/miR-5006-5p/FZD1 axis might serve as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for LUAD treatment.