lncRNA-LET Regulates Glycolysis and Glutamine Decomposition of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Through miR-93-5p/miR-106b-5p/SOCS4

BACKGROUND: Dysregulated non-coding RNAs exhibit critical functions in various cancers. Nonetheless, the levels and corresponding functions of cirCSNX14 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) yet remain to be elucidated. METHODS: Initially, the aberrant low levels of lncRNA-LET within ESCC tissues are validated via qRT-PCR observations. Moreover, the effects of lncRNA-LET upregulation on cell proliferation in vitro are determined. In addition, a series of assays determining the mechanistic views related to metabolism is conducted. Furthermore, the effects of lncRNA-LET in affecting tumor growth are investigated in vivo in a mouse model. Moreover, the interactions between lncRNA-LET and its networks are predicted and determined by RNA immunoprecipitation-assisted qRT-PCR as well as luciferase reporter assays. RESULTS: The downregulation of lncRNA-LET is correlated to the poor prognosis of ESCC patients. Moreover, the upregulated expression of lncRNA-LET could have reduced the cell viability. In vivo tumor inhibition efficacy assays showed that an increase of lncRNA-LET presented excellent inhibitory effects on cancer proliferation as reflected by tumor weight and volume in mice. Finally, the mechanistic views regarding the effects of miR-106b-5p or miR-93-5p and SOCS4 on ESCC are related to the feedback of lncRNA-LET. CONCLUSION: Collectively, this study suggested that lncRNA-LET miR-93-5p or the miR-106b-5p–SOCS4 axis may provide great potential in establishing ESCC therapy.