LINC00491 promotes cell growth and metastasis through miR-324-5p/ROCK1 in liver cancer

BACKGROUND: LINC00491 was involved in some tumors development, but its function in liver cancer has not been reported. This study aimed to investigate LINC00491 expression and function in liver cancer progression. METHODS: Sixty liver cancer cases were enrolled. LINC00491, miR-324-5p and rho-associated kinase 1 (ROCK1) expression in liver cancer patients and cells were detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. HUH-7 and SK-Hep-1 cells were transfected to modulate LINC00491, miR-324-5p and ROCK1 expression. Cell counting kit-8 assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, Transwell experiment, Tunel assay and flow cytometry were performed to detected HUH-7 and SK-Hep-1 cells proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis and cell cycle. Biotin-RNA pull-down assay and Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay was performed to detect the binding among LINC00491, miR-324-5p and ROCK1. Xenograft tumor and lung metastasis was performed using nude mice. Xenograft tumor and lung tissues of mice were experienced immunohistochemistry and hematoxylin–eosin staining. RESULTS: LINC00491 was highly expressed in liver cancer cases, associating with poor prognosis. si-LINC00491 inhibited proliferation, colony formation, invasion, migration, and induced cell cycle G1 arrest and apoptosis in HUH-7 and SK-Hep-1 cells. LINC00491 overexpression showed opposite effects. LINC00491 promoted ROCK1 expression by reducing miR-324-5p. miR-324-5p up-regulation or ROCK1 knockdown reversed LINC00491 promotion on liver SK-Hep-1 cells malignant phenotype. LINC00491 facilitated xenograft tumor growth and lung metastasis in mice. CONCLUSION: LINC00491 was highly expressed in liver cancer patients, associating with poor prognosis. LINC00491 facilitated liver cancer progression by sponging miR-324-5p/ROCK1. LINC00491 might be a potential treatment target of liver cancer.