biostudies-literatureUnknown9(14)Guo X<h4>Purpose</h4>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Numerous analyses have revealed the abnormal expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in HCC cells. This study aims to explore biological functions of lncRNA TMPO-AS1 (TMPO antisense RNA 1) in HCC cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration.<h4>Methods</h4>The gene expression in HCC tissues and cell lines were measured by qRT-PCR. The role of TMPO-AS1 in HCC was confirmed by CCK-8, colony formation, TUNEL, transwell and western blot as well as by in vivo experiments. RNA pull down and luciferase reporter assays were utilized to prove the binding relationship between TMPO-AS1/FOXK1 (forkhead box K1) andmiR-329-3p. Rescue assays elucidated the regulatory effects of TMPO-AS1/miR-329-3p/FOXK1/AKT/mTOR pathway on cellular activities in HCC.<h4>Results</h4>TMPO-AS1was upregulated in HCC tissues and cells and its depletion inhibits HCC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT process as well as tumor growth. Furthermore, TMPO-AS1 could bind with miR-329-3p, which suppressed HCC cell proliferation. FOXK1 served as the target gene of miR-329-3p and TMPO-AS1 upregulated FOXK1 by sponging miR-329-3p in HCC cells. Additionally, FOXK1 overexpression or miR-329-3p inhibitor neutralized the repressing effects of TMPO-AS1 knockdown on HCC development. Finally, it verified that TMPO-AS1 could regulate AKT/mTOR pathway via FOXK1 to promote HCC.<h4>Conclusion</h4>TMPO-AS1 contributes to HCC progression by sponging miR-329-3p to activate FOXK1-mediated AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.Cancer medicine5235-5246https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7367632biostudies-literatureLncRNA TMPO-AS1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion through sponging miR-329-3p to stimulate FOXK1-mediated AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.PMC7367632Guo XWang YfalseLncRNA TMPO-AS1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion through sponging miR-329-3p to stimulate FOXK1-mediated AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.<h4>Purpose</h4>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Numerous analyses have revealed the abnormal expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in HCC cells. This study aims to explore biological functions of lncRNA TMPO-AS1 (TMPO antisense RNA 1) in HCC cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration.<h4>Methods</h4>The gene expression in HCC tissues and cell lines were measured by qRT-PCR. The role of TMPO-AS1 in HCC was confirmed by CCK-8, colony formation, TUNEL, transwell and western blot as well as by in vivo experiments. RNA pull down and luciferase reporter assays were utilized to prove the binding relationship between TMPO-AS1/FOXK1 (forkhead box K1) andmiR-329-3p. Rescue assays elucidated the regulatory effects of TMPO-AS1/miR-329-3p/FOXK1/AKT/mTOR pathway on cellular activities in HCC.<h4>Results</h4>TMPO-AS1was upregulated in HCC tissues and cells and its depletion inhibits HCC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT process as well as tumor growth. Furthermore, TMPO-AS1 could bind with miR-329-3p, which suppressed HCC cell proliferation. FOXK1 served as the target gene of miR-329-3p and TMPO-AS1 upregulated FOXK1 by sponging miR-329-3p in HCC cells. Additionally, FOXK1 overexpression or miR-329-3p inhibitor neutralized the repressing effects of TMPO-AS1 knockdown on HCC development. Finally, it verified that TMPO-AS1 could regulate AKT/mTOR pathway via FOXK1 to promote HCC.<h4>Conclusion</h4>TMPO-AS1 contributes to HCC progression by sponging miR-329-3p to activate FOXK1-mediated AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Jul2025-04-19T21:08:03.064Z2025-02-19T00:50:47.883ZS-EPMC73676323246269810.1002/cam4.3046