Long non-coding RNA KRT8P41/miR-193a-3p/FUBP1 axis modulates the proliferation and invasion of chordoma cells

Chordomas are low-grade malignancies accounting for 1–4% of primary bone malignancies. Moreover, local recurrences increase the rate of metastasis. Our previous study identified the far upstream element (FUSE)-binding protein 1 (FUBP1) as a biomarker and potential therapeutic target for chordoma. In this study, lncRNA KRT8P41 was identified as a lncRNA positively correlated with FUBP1. In chordoma patients, higher lncRNA KRT8P41 expression was correlated with a poorer prognosis. LncRNA KRT8P41 silencing significantly inhibited chordoma cell proliferation and invasion. miR-193a was negatively correlated with lncRNA KRT8P41 and FUBP1; lncRNA KRT8P41 inhibited miR-193a expression, and miR-193a inhibited FUBP1 expression. Furthermore, miR-193a directly bound to lncRNA KRT8P41 and FUBP1 and lncRNA KRT8P41 competed with FUBP1 for miR-193a binding and relieved miR-193a-mediated FUBP1 inhibition. LncRNA KRT8P41 silencing inhibited, whereas miR-193a inhibition promoted chordoma cell proliferation and invasion; the inhibition of miR-193a attenuated the roles of lncRNA KRT8P41. Within chordoma tissues, the expression of miR-193a was decreased, and the expression of FUBP1 increased compared to normal control tissues. LncRNA KRT8P41 exhibited a positive correlation with FUBP1 and a negative correlation with miR-193a in vivo. Therefore, it was concluded that lncRNA KRT8P41, miR-193a-3p, and FUBP1 form a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA axis, modulating the proliferation and invasion of chordoma cells.