IRF4-activated TEX41 promotes the malignant behaviors of melanoma cells by targeting miR-103a-3p/C1QB axis

BACKGROUND: Malignant melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer and a tumor of melanocytic origin. Recent studies have suggested that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial regulatory roles in multiple malignancies, including melanoma. Testis expressed 41 (TEX41) is a relatively new lncRNA whose mechanism in melanoma remains vague. AIMS: This study aimed to explore the role and specific mechanism of TEX41 in melanoma. METHODS: The expression of genes involved in this study was determined by qRT-PCR. Functional assays were conducted to analyze the role of relevant genes in melanoma cells. The interaction between TEX41 promoter and IRF4 as well as the relationship among TEX41, miR-103a-3p and C1QB was verified by mechanism assays. RESULTS: IRF4 up-regulated TEX41 at the transcriptional level in melanoma cells. TEX41 knockdown hindered melanoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion while promoting cell apoptosis. TEX41 bound to miR-103a-3p and regulated C1QB. The suppressive impact of TEX41 depletion on melanoma cell malignant behaviors could be counteracted by miR-103a-3p inhibition or C1QB overexpression. Moreover, IRF4 could facilitate melanoma cell growth via up-regulating C1QB. CONCLUSIONS: IRF4-activated TEX41 sequestered miR-103a-3p and modulated C1QB to promote melanoma cell malignant behaviors, for which TEX41 might be regarded as a potential therapeutic target for melanoma. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-09039-1.