Objectives
Recently, increasing attention has been concentrated on decrypting the potential of long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in influencing the progression of human tumors, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) included. The role of a novel lncRNA, forkhead box D1 antisense RNA 1 (FOXD1‐AS1), has been discussed in multiple cancers. Nevertheless, its function and relevant mechanism in OSCC have been not probed yet.
Materials and methods
FOXD1‐AS1 expression was detected via RT‐qPCR. Colony formation, EdU, transwell and Western blot analyses tested the functional role of FOXD1‐AS1 in OSCC cells. The relationship between RNAs was assessed by a series of mechanical assays.
Results
FOXD1‐AS1 was expressed at a high level in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC). Knockdown of FOXD1‐AS1 exerted repressive impacts on OSCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT. Moreover, FOXD1‐AS1 positively regulated its nearby gene FOXD1 via interacting with miR‐369‐3p. In addition, adenosine deaminase RNA specific (ADAR), known as a RNA‐binding protein (RBP), was capable to bind with FOXD1‐AS1 and FOXD1 simultaneously, and could regulate the stability of FOXD1 mRNA. Aside from that, rescue assays delineated that FOXD1‐AS1 promoted OSCC progression via upregulating FOXD1.
Conclusions
FOXD1‐AS1 elevates FOXD1 expression to promote OSCC malignant phenotypes through miR‐369‐3p and ADAR.