LINC00922 acts as a novel oncogene in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been discovered to participate in various cancer developments. However, the biological function of lncRNAs associated with gastric cancer (GC) has not been fully elucidated. METHODS: Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay was performed to measure lncRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) and message RNA (mRNA) expression. Cell Counter Kit-8 (CCK-8), clone formation, wound healing, and transwell assays were performed to investigate cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay was used to analyze LINC00922 in either the cytoplasm or nucleus. The potential binding among lncRNA, miRNA, and mRNA was evidenced by bioinformatics, luciferase reporter assay. Mouse-xenograft experiments were used to explore the tumorigenesis in vivo. RESULTS: LINC00922 was upregulated in GC, and high LINC00922 expression was associated with poor prognosis. Inhibition of LINC00922 suppressed GC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and activated cell apoptosis in vitro and inhibited tumorigenesis in vivo. Besides, LINC00922 was markedly located in the cytoplasm. The mechanistic analysis demonstrated that LINC00922 acted as a sponge of miR-204-5p, thereby inhibiting the expression of the target gene-High Mobility Group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2). CONCLUSION: LINC00922 accelerated the progression of GC by miR-204-5p/HMGA2 axis. These findings support LINC00922 may be a promising option for the diagnosis and therapy of GC. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12957-022-02569-3.