Long noncoding RNA MEG3 regulates LATS2 by promoting the ubiquitination of EZH2 and inhibits proliferation and invasion in gallbladder cancer

Cell Death Dis. 2018 Oct 3;9(10):1017. doi: 10.1038/s41419-018-1064-1.

Abstract

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the most common type of biliary tract cancer worldwide. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play essential roles in physiological and pathological development. LncRNA MEG3, a tumor suppressor, has been reported to play important roles in some cancers, but the role of MEG3 in GBC remains largely unknown. The purpose of the present study was to explore the role of MEG3 in proliferation and invasion and the potential molecular mechanism in GBC. We found that MEG3 was downregulated in GBC tissues and cells, and low expression of MEG3 was correlated with poor prognostic outcomes in patients. Overexpression of MEG3 inhibited GBC cell proliferation and invasion, induced cell apoptosis and decreased tumorigenicity in nude mice. Moreover, we found that MEG3 was associated with EZH2 and attenuated EZH2 by promoting its ubiquitination. Furthermore, MEG3 executed its functions via EZH2 to regulate the downstream target gene LATS2. Taken together, these findings suggest that MEG3 is an effective target for GBC therapy and may facilitate the development of lncRNA-directed diagnostics and therapeutics against GBC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics*
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein / genetics*
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / genetics
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Prognosis
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics*
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Ubiquitination / genetics*

Substances

  • MEG3 non-coding RNA, human
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • EZH2 protein, human
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein
  • LATS2 protein, human
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases