The long non-coding RNA NEAT1 regulates epithelial to mesenchymal transition and radioresistance in through miR-204/ZEB1 axis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Tumour Biol. 2016 Sep;37(9):11733-11741. doi: 10.1007/s13277-015-4773-4. Epub 2016 Mar 28.

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a critical role in cancer progression, including in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, it is still poorly understood whether lncRNA regulates epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and radioresistance of NPC cells. We found that lncRNA NEAT1 was significantly upregulated in NPC cell lines and tissues. Knockdown of NEAT1 could sensitize NPC cells to radiation in vitro. Further investigation found that NEAT1 regulated radioresistance by modulating EMT phenotype. Furthermore, we found that there was reciprocal repression between NEAT1 and miR-204. ZEB1 was identified as a downstream target of miR-204 and NEAT1 upregulated ZEB1 expression by negatively regulating miR-204 expression. Taking together, we proposed that NEAT1 regulated EMT phenotype and radioresistance by modulating the miR-204/ZEB1 axis in NPC.

Keywords: Epithelial to mesenchymal transition; NEAT1; Radioresistance; ZEB1; miR-204.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / physiology*
  • Radiation Tolerance*
  • Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1 / physiology*

Substances

  • MIRN204 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • NEAT1 long non-coding RNA, human
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • ZEB1 protein, human
  • Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1