The Effect and Mechanism of lncRNA NR2F1-As1/miR-493-5p/MAP3K2 Axis in the Progression of Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND: LncRNA NR2F1-AS1 has been identified as an oncogene in some human tumors, such as breast cancer, nonsmall cell lung cancer, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Nonetheless, whether NR2F1-AS1 is involved in the progression of gastric cancer (GC) remains unknown. METHODS: The expression patterns of NR2F1-AS1, MAP3K2, and miR-493-5p in GC tissues and cells were detected by RT-qPCR. The protein expression of MAP3K2 was assessed by the Western blotting assay. The MTT assay and flow cytometry were performed to measure cell proliferation and cell apoptosis in GC cells. The transwell assay was adopted to assess cell migration in GC cells. The relationship between NR2F1-AS1, MAP3K2, and miR-493-5p was verified by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: The increased NR2F1-AS1 and MAP3K2 expressions were discovered in GC tissues and cells compared with control groups. Knockdown of NR2F1-AS1 and MAP3K2 dramatically suppressed cell proliferation and migration, while it enhanced cell apoptosis in GC cells. In addition, NR2F1-AS1 was found to be a sponge of miR-493-5p, and MAP3K2 was a downstream gene of miR-493-5p. Moreover, the expression of MAP3K2 was notably reduced by miR-493-5p, and NR2F1-AS1 counteracted the inhibition of miR-493-5p. CONCLUSION: Thus, NR2F1-AS1 was verified to regulate GC cell progression by sponging miR-493-5p to upregulate MAP3K2 expression.