LncRNA EIF3J-AS1 functions as an oncogene by regulating MAFG to promote prostate cancer progression

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can modulate various biological processes and behaviors in most human cancers. LncRNA EIF3J-AS1 has been reported as an oncogene in various tumors, but whether it exerts functions in malignant progression and gene expression in prostate cancer (PCa) remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the high level of EIF3J‐AS1 in PCa tissues and cells, and used functional assays to show that knocking down EIF3J‐AS1 inhibited PCa cell proliferation and metastatic ability. A preliminary mechanistic investigation also showed that EIF3J‐AS1 may increase the expression of MAF bZIP transcription Factor G (MAFG) in PCa. The expression correlation between EIF3J‐AS1 and MAFG was found to be positive in PCa tissues. Finally, rescue assays showed that MAFG might be involved in the EIF3J-AS1-mediated malignant phenotype in PCa cells. This study demonstrated that EIF3J-AS1/MAFG may play a key role in facilitating PCa progression.