The biologic function as well as the mechanism of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) still remain largely unknown. Long noncoding RNA FGD5 antisense RNA 1 (FGD5-AS1) has been reported to have a promotive effect on other human cancers, but its function in CRC still remains unknown. The expression levels of long noncoding RNA FGD5-AS1, CDCA7 mRNA, and miR-302e were assessed by RT-qPCR. The protein levels of CDCA7 were assessed by Western blot. The function of FGD5-AS1 was detected using cell viability assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, transwell, and caspase-3 activity assay. Additionally, the microRNAs (miRNAs) sponge potential of FGD5-AS1 was examined by RNA immunoprecipitation assay, RNA pull-down assay, and luciferase reporter assay. FGD5-AS1 was increased in colorectal cancer cell lines compared to normal cell lines. Inhibition of FGD5-AS1 suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and accelerated cell apoptosis in CRC. FGD5-AS1 competitively bound with miR-302e to modulate CDCA7. The inhibiting effects of FGD5-AS1 knockdown on CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and the promoting effects on CRC cell apoptosis could be revived by miR-302e suppression or CDCA7 upregulation. LncRNA FGD5-AS1 could promote CRC progression through sponging miR-302e and upregulating CDCA7. FGD5-AS1 might serve as a potential therapeutic target for CRC.
Keywords: CDCA7; CRC; FGD5-AS1; miR-302e.