[Retracted] Downregulation of long non‑coding RNA GACAT1 suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis of NSCLC cells by sponging microRNA‑422a

Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that the flow cytometric data shown in Fig. 2E on p. 662 were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in a pair of other research articles written by different authors at different research institutes. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article had already been submitted for publication elsewhere prior to its submission to International Journal of Molecular Medicine, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office never received a reply. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [International Journal of Molecular Medicine 47: 659‑667, 2021; DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4826].

LncRNA GACAT1 induces tongue squamous cell carcinoma migration and proliferation via miR-149

Recent studies have observed that lncRNAs (long non‐coding RNAs) are involved in the progression of various tumours including tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). Recently, a new lnRNA, GACAT1, has been firstly identified in gastric cancer. However, its potential role in TSCC remains unknown. In this reference, we observed that GACAT1 was overexpressed in TSCC samples and cell lines. Of 25 TSCC specimens, GACAT1 expression was overexpressed in 18 patients (18/25, 72%) compared to non‐tumour specimens. Ectopic expression of GACAT1 induced cell growth and migration and promoted epithelial to mesenchymal transition in TSCC. In addition, ectopic expression of GACAT1 decreased miR‐149 expression in SCC1 cell. We observed that miR‐149 expression was down‐regulated in TSCC cell lines. Moreover, we observed that GACAT1 expression was negatively correlated with miR‐149 expression. GACAT1 overexpression induced TSCC cell growth and migration via regulating miR‐149 expression. These data provided that GACAT1 played an oncogenic role in the progression of TSCC partly through modulating miR‐149 expression.

Downregulation of long non‑coding RNA GACAT1 suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis of NSCLC cells by sponging microRNA‑422a

Increasing evidence has demonstrated the important roles of long non‑coding (lnc) RNA in non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). lncRNA gastric cancer‑associated transcript 1 (GACAT1) has been reported to play an oncogenic role in different types of cancer; however, the function of GACAT1 in NSCLC remains unclear. The present study found that GACAT1 was overexpressed in NSCLC tissues and was associated with poor outcomes in patients with NSCLC. Functional experiments revealed that GACAT1 downregulation inhibited proliferation, induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of 2 NSCLC cell lines. GACAT1 was found to target microRNA(miR)‑422a mechanically and negatively regulated miR‑422a expression. Reduced expression of miR‑422a in NSCLC tissues was inversely correlated with that of GACAT1. Furthermore, YY1 transcription factor (YY1) was identified as a downstream miR‑422a target. Reduced expression of GACAT1 inactivated YY1 by sponging miR‑422a in NSCLC cells. YY1 reintroduction reversed the reduced proliferation of NSCLC cells via GACAT1 knockdown. Taken together, these results revealed the novel role of the GACAT1/miR‑422a pathway in the progression of NSCLC cell lines, providing a possible therapeutic strategy for NSCLC treatment.

Long-chain non-coding RNA GACAT1 promotes development and progression of breast cancer by targeting microRNA-875-3p

Role of long-chain non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) GACAT1 in the development of breast cancer and its possible mechanism were investigated. The levels of GACAT1, microRNA-875-3p and Stonin2 (STON2) in breast cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The level of GACAT1 in breast cancer cell lines was further explored. The effects of GACAT1 and microRNA-875-3p on cell proliferation and cycle were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry. The binding relationship between microRNA-875-3p and STON2, microRNA-875-3p and GACAT1 was examined by a dual luciferase reporting assay. It was confirmed by rescue experiments whether GACAT1 canregulate the level of STON2 by binding to microRNA-875-3p. GACAT1 level was clearly enhanced in breast cancer tissues compared to that of the adjacent tissues. Similar result was observed in breast cancer cell lines. Upregulation of GACAT1 promoted the proliferation and cycle of breast cancer cells including MCF-7 and BCap-37. The dual luciferase reporting assay results indicated that GACAT1 had a binding relationship with microRNA-875-3p. Further experiments confirmed that microRNA-875-3p was conspicuously downregulated in breast cancer tissues, and upregulation of microRNA-875-3p could inhibit the proliferation ability of MCF-7 and BCap-37 cells, and partially reversed the promoting effect of GACAT1 on cell cycle. Through bioinformatics prediction and dual luciferase reporter gene experiments, we found that STON2 might be a target gene of microRNA-875-3p. Overexpression of STON2 could partially abolish the effect of microRNA-875-3p on cell proliferation and cycle of MCF-7 and BCap-37 cells. GACAT1 can participate in the progression of breast cancer by promoting the proliferation and cycle of breast cancer cells. The mechanism may be through the regulation of the level of STON2 by adsorbing microRNA-875-3p.

LncRNA GACAT1 Promotes Gastric Cancer Cell Growth, Invasion And Migration By Regulating MiR-149-mediated Of ZBTB2 And SP1

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were involved in the progression of gastric cancer (GC). In our study, we have determined that GACAT1 expression was upregulated in GC. Overexpression of GACAT1 promoted GC cell proliferation, invasion and migration. We also determined that miR-149 directly interacts with the target site on GACAT1. Furthermore, we investigated that miR-149 downregulated ZBTB2 and SP1 expressions which were induced by GACAT1, miR-149 inhibited GC cell growth and invasion mediated by GACAT1. In conclusion, we found that miR-149 downregulated ZBTB2 and SP1 expressions, and inhibited GC cell progression mediated by GACAT1. Therefore, we indicated that GACAT1 and miR-149 may be potential therapeutic targets for GC.