MiR-490-3p Sponged by lncRNA NEAT1 Can Attenuate Lung Adenocarcinoma Progression by Suppressing the RhoA/ROCK Signaling Pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial regulators of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) progression. Herein, we explored the role of miR-490-3p and the underlying molecular mechanism involving key lncRNAs and pathways in LUAD.

METHODS: Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect the expression of lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-490-3p in LUAD cells and tissues. Western blotting was used to determine protein expression levels of the Ras homologous gene family member A/Rho-related protein kinase (RhoA/ROCK) signal pathway marker. Considering cell functions, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), Transwell, and xenograft experiments were employed to evaluate LUAD cell proliferation, migration, and tumor growth, respectively. The relationship between miR-490-3p and lncRNA NEAT1 was analyzed using a luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS: Herein, we found that miR-490-3p expression was significantly low in LUAD cells and tissues. MiR-490-3p overexpression markedly suppressed tumor growth, the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway, migration, and proliferation of LUAD cells. Moreover, lncRNA NEAT1, which is highly expressed in LUAD, was detected upstream of miR-490-3p. Upregulation of lncRNA NEAT1 exacerbated the behavior of LUAD cells and offset the suppressive influence of miR-490-3p-mediated upregulation on malignant LUAD cell behavior.

CONCLUSION: MiR-490-3p sponging by lncRNA NEAT1 could hamper LUAD progression by inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway. These findings provide new insights for LUAD diagnosis and treatment.