Long Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid Forkhead Box P4-Antisense RNA 1 Targets microRNA-655-3p to Regulate the Proliferation, Transfer, and Invasion of Mammary Cancer Cells

Abstract

LncRNA FOXP4-AS1 expresses at a higher level in gastric carcinoma cells and can promote proliferation and other biological behaviors. However, the effect of FOXP4-AS1 on mammary cancer cells has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, this article explores the influence of lncRNA FOXP4-AS1 on the proliferation and other biological processes of mammary cancer MDA-MB-231 cells via its regulation of miRNA-655-3p. Firstly, nanoPCR was used to quantify the expression of FOXP4-AS1 and miRNA-655-3p in mammary cancer tissues and adjacent tissues. Compared to the adjacent tissues, the expression level of FOXP4-AS1 in mammary cancer tissue was significantly increased, while that of miRNA-655-3p was substantially reduced. Then, si-FOXP4-AS1, miRNA-655-3p mimics, si-FOXP4-AS1 + anti-miRNA-655-3p were transfected into human mammary cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. The transfection of si-FOXP4-AS1 or miRNA-655-3p mimics considerably reduced cell viability and the protein levels of Ki-67 and MMPs. The transfection of si-FOXP4-AS1 or miRNA-655-3p mimics could reduce cell migration and invasion. The dual-luciferase reporter assays revealed that FOXP4-AS1 could target miRNA-655-3p. The co-transfection of si-FOXP4-AS1 and anti-miRNA-655-3p increased cell viability, migration, and invasion; the same co-transfection also elevated the protein levels of Ki-67 and MMPs. In conclusion, this study suggests that knocking down FOXP4-AS1’s expression can reduce mammary cancer cells’ ability to proliferate and execute other biological processes by targeting the expression of miRNA-655-3p.