LncRNA SAMD12-AS1 Suppresses Proliferation and Migration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via p53 Signaling Pathway

Abstract

Purpose. Assessment of lncRNA SAMD12-AS1 expression in liver cancer tissues and cell lines to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms that regulate liver cancer cell growth, development, invasion, and migration. Methods. The lncRNA SAMD12-AS1 expression in tumor tissues of 32 liver cancer patients was measured by real-time PCR, and its effect on the clinicopathological manifestations and liver cancer patients’ prognosis was determined. LncRNA SAMD12-AS1 overexpression and knockdown in liver cancer cell lines were established by cell transfection. The effects of lncRNA SAMD12-AS1 knockdown and overexpression on liver cancer cell growth, development, invasion, and migration were determined by MTT, Transwell, and clonogenic assays. Furthermore, its effects on the expression of E-cadherin, vimentin, p53, and p21 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells were determined by Western blot assay. Results. The level of lncRNA SAMD12-AS1 expression in tumor tissues was remarkably higher than that in paracancerous liver tissues ( $p<0.01$ ). It was found that the lncRNA SAMD12-AS1 expression was largely correlated with TNM stage of tumor, vascular invasion, and hepatitis B surface (HBs) antigen in liver cancer patients ( $p<0.05$ ). Cell function experiments showed that lncRNA SAMD12-AS1 overexpression promoted liver cancer development, migration, and invasion ( $p<0.05$ ), while lncRNA SAMD12-AS1 knockdown inhibited the activity of liver cancer cells to invade and migrate ( $p<0.05$ ). Western blot analysis showed that overexpression of lncRNA SAMD12-AS1 markedly inhibited p21, p53, and E-cadherin expression and promoted vimentin expression. Conversely, knockdown of lncRNA SAMD12-AS1 significantly promoted p21, p53, and E-cadherin expression and inhibited vimentin expression ( $p<0.05$ ). Conclusion. LncRNA SAMD12-AS1 is associated with the TNM stage and vascular invasion of liver cancer. It promotes liver cancer cell development, invasion, and migration by regulating p53 expression. Thus, lncRNA SAMD12-AS1 could be a novel biological target for the treatment of liver cancer.