lncRNA TCONS_00251376 promotes the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cell through upregulating ETV1.

[BACKGROUND] Although there have been significant advancements in the treatment modalities for gastric cancer (GC) in recent years, the overall prognosis remains poor, particularly for individuals in advanced stages. The absence of a sensitive tumor marker in GC is a crucial factor contributing to this challenge.

[METHODS] Our study focused on investigating a newly discovered long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) known as TCONS_00251376, which has been confirmed to exhibit differential expression in GC compared to adjacent tissues. To further validate these expression differences, we collected 22 pairs of GC and adjacent noncancerous tissues. Subsequent cell function experiments and animal studies were conducted to elucidate the role and underlying mechanisms of lncRNA TCONS_00251376 in the development of GC.

[RESULTS] The study revealed a significant upregulation of lncRNA TCONS_00251376 in cancer tissues (< 0.01) and a consistent upregulation in GC cell lines (AGS, MKN45, BGC-823, and MGC-803). Furthermore, it was observed that lncRNA TCONS_00251376 played a promotive role in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells. Subsequent analysis indicated that lncRNA TCONS_00251376 could upregulate the expression of ETV1, a factor associated with the prognosis of GC.

[CONCLUSIONS] Therefore, our findings suggest that lncRNA TCONS_00251376 functions as an oncogenic lncRNA, promoting tumorigenesis and progression by regulating the expression of ETV1 gene. This highlights its potential as an effective target for treating GC.