Long noncoding RNA Sox2 overlapping transcript (SOX2OT) promotes non-small-cell lung cancer migration and invasion via sponging microRNA 132 (miR-132)
Authors: Limei Qu
Hongguang Zhao
Yang Li
Kewei Zhang
Xiaobo Ma
Ying Tang
Journal: OncoTargets and Therapy (2018)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: SOX2OT; ZEB2; miR-132; non-small-cell lung cancer.

Abstract:  Background: Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) Sox2 overlapping transcript (SOX2OT) has been reported to be upregulated in various types of cancers, including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the biological role and underlying mechanism of SOX2OT activity in NSCLC remain largely unknown. This study aims to investigate the function and possible molecular mechanisms of SOX2OT in NSCLC. Materials and methods: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect SOX2OT expression, and cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion were measured using cell counting kit-8, wound healing, and Transwell invasion assays, respectively. Western blotting was used to determine protein expression. Starbase 2.0 and luciferase reporter assay were utilized to identify the molecular target of SOX2OT. Results: Here, we discovered that SOX2OT was markedly upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of SOX2OT inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in NSCLC cells. Moreover, we explored the regulatory mechanism of SOX2OT and found that SOX2OT directly bound microRNA 132 (miR-132) in NSCLC cells. Importantly, miR-132 inhibition partially reversed the SOX2OT knockdown-mediated inhibitory effect on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT process. We also found that SOX2OT could regulate zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 2 (a target of miR-132) expression, which played crucial roles in tumor cell proliferation and invasion. Conclusion: These findings indicated that SOX2OT was a noncoding oncogene that exerted important regulatory functions in NSCLC via sponging miR-132 and might represent a novel strategy for overcoming this disease. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Fig 2A.  Cell migration was examined by wound healing assay in A549 and H1299 cells transfected with nontargeting sequences (sh-NC) or short-hairpin RNA against SOX2OT (sh-SOX2OT). I have concerns.  , 
 Fig 2C.  E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin levels were determined in A549 and H1299 cells transfected with sh-NC or sh-SOX2OT.  Could the authors comment on the bands here that are also present in Fig 3D from [Tong et al (2017)] :  Western blot analysis of SOX4 protein expression in RCC cells following transfection with miR-338-3p or miR-NC .  Fig 4C from [Liu et al (2018)] .  E-cadherin and vimentin protein expression measured by western blotting in SKOV3 and A2780 cells transfected with either si-NC or si-LINC00460 .  , 
 Retracted [5 October 2021] . -------------------------------- The Editor and Publisher of OncoTargets and Therapy wish to retract the published article. Concerns were raised over the alleged image duplication of images in Figure 2A and Figure 2C, and the alleged duplication of images in Figure 2C with similar images from an unrelated article, specifically: - Figure 2A, panel A549 0h si-NC appears to show duplicated elements with panel H1299 0h si-NC; panel A549 0h si-SOX2OT appears to show duplicated elements with panel H1299 0h si-SOX2OT; panel H1299 0h si-SOX2OT appears to show duplicated elements with panel H1299 24h si-SOX2OT. - Figure 2C, panels Vimentin and GAPDH appear to have been duplicated in Figure 3D from Tong et al, 2017 (DOI: 10.3892 etm.2017.5169). The authors did not respond to our queries and the Editor determined the findings of the study were no longer valid and advised for the article to be retracted. Our decision-making was informed by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retraction. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as u201cRetractedu201d. ,