MEF2C-AS1 regulates its nearby gene MEF2C to mediate cervical cancer cell malignant phenotypes in vitro

Abstract

Cervical cancer (CC) is the second most common malignancy among women. GEPIA demonstrated that MEF2C-AS1 and its nearby gene MEF2C present downregulation in CC tissues. We attempted to clarify molecular mechanism between MEF2C-AS1 and MEF2C underlying CC progression. RT-qPCR was used to measure expression levels and subcellular distribution of MEF2C-AS1 and MEF2C in CC cell lines. Gain-of-function assays were conducted to reveal roles of MEF2C-AS1 and MEF2C in CC cell behaviors. Bioinformatics, RNA pull down, and RIP assays were performed to assess association of MEF2C-AS1 or MEF2C with miR-20 b-5p in CC cells. Rescue assays were done to assess regulatory function of the MEF2C-AS1-miR-20 b-5p-MEF2C axis in CC cellular processes. MEF2C-AS1 and its nearby gene MEF2C showed downregulation and had a positive expression correlation in CC tissues. MEF2C-AS1 and MEF2C presented downregulation in CC cells, and they majorly distributed in CC cell cytoplasm. MEF2C-AS1 and MEF2C upregulation repressed CC cell proliferative, migratory, and angiogenic abilities. MEF2C-AS1 competitively bound with miR-20 b-5p to upregulate MEF2C in CC cells. The impacts of MEF2C-AS1 elevation on CC cell proliferative, migratory, and angiogenic capabilities were countervailed by miR-20 b-5p overexpression. The impacts of miR-20 b-5p inhibitor on CC cell proliferative, migratory and angiogenic capabilities were countervailed by MEF2C depletion. To sum up, MEF2C-AS1 and its nearby gene MEF2C present downregulation and serve as tumor suppressors in CC cells. MEF2C-AS1 suppresses CC cell malignancy in vitro through sponging miR-20 b-5p to upregulate MEF2C, which may provide a potential new direction for seeking therapeutic plans of CC.

Keywords: Cervical cancer; MEF2C; MEF2C-AS1; miR-20b-5p.