Background
Taurine-upregulated gene 1
(
TUG1
) has been documented to be implicated in carcinogenesis and chemoresistance in solid tumors. Here, we explored the biological role and regulatory mechanism of
TUG1
in progression and chemoresistance of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB).
Methods
Nuclear factor-erythroid 2
(
NF-E2
)
-related factor 2
(
Nrf2
) mRNA and
TUG1
expression was determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Western blot was performed to determine the protein levels of Nrf2, p-glycoprotein (p-gp), Ki-67 (Ki67), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 and cleaved caspase-3. The effects of either
Nrf2
or
TUG1
knockdown on the proliferation, invasion, apoptosis and adriamycin (ADM) resistance of UCB cells were evaluated by CCK-8 assay, transwell invasion assay and flow cytometry analysis. Xenograft tumor assay was carried out to confirm the role of
Nrf2
and
TUG1
in ADM resistance of UCB cells in vivo.
Results
Nrf2
and
TUG1
were upregulated in UCB tissues and cell lines. A positive correlation between
Nrf2
and
TUG1
expression was discovered in UCB tissues. Moreover,
Nrf2
and
TUG1
expression levels were higher in ADM-resistant cells compared with those in parental cells. Furthermore,
Nrf2
positively regulated the expression of
TUG1
in UCB cells. Knockdown of either
Nrf2
or
TUG1
led to the inhibition of cell proliferation and invasion and promotion of cell apoptosis, accompanying with down-regulation of Ki67, MMP-2 and MMP-9 and up-regulation of cleaved caspase-3. Knockdown of either
Nrf2
or
TUG1
enhanced the sensitivity of BIU-87/ADM and T24/ADM cells to ADM, as indicated by decreased expression of p-gp. Besides, knockdown of either
Nrf2
or
TUG1
inhibited tumor growth in the absence or presence of ADM in vivo.
Conclusions
Nrf2
induces the up-regulation of
TUG1
to promote progression and ADM resistance in UCB.