LncRNA MCM3AP-AS1 sponges miR-148a to cell invasion and migration in small cell lung cancer

Abstract Background: MCM3AP-AS1 is a recently characterized lncRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and (GBM). We found that miR-148a may be able to bind MCM3AP-AS1. We explored the functions of lncRNA MCM3AP-AS1 in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Methods: Gene expression in SCLC patients was analyzed by qPCR. Transient transfections were performed to analyze gene interactions. Cell invasion and migration were analyzed by Transwell assays.Results: We found that MCM3AP-AS1 was upregulated in SCLC and high expression levels were accompanied by low survival rate. Bioinfromatics analysis showed that MCM3AP-AS1 may bind miR-148a, which can target ROCK1. In SCLC tissues, MCM3AP-AS1 was positively correlated with ROCK1. In SCLC cells, MCM3AP-AS1 overexpression mediated the upregulated ROCK1 expression and increased cell invasion and migration rates. However, MCM3AP-AS1 and miR-148a could not regulate each other. However, miR-148a overexpressed led to downregulated ROCK1 expression, decreased cell invasion and migration rates, and reduced effects of MCM3AP-AS1 overexpression. Conclusions: Therefore, MCM3AP-AS1 may sponge miR-148a to cell invasion and migration in SCLC through the upregulation of ROCK1.