The Long Non-Coding RNA SBF2-AS1 Exerts Oncogenic Functions In Gastric Cancer By Targeting The miR-302b-3p/E2F Transcription Factor 3 Axis
Authors: Jiansheng Guo
Hua Ge
Chaosen Yue
He Huang
Chaojie Liang
Chaowei Liang
Zhigang Wei
Guangming Li
Jixiang Wu
Journal: OncoTargets and therapy (2019)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: E2F3; SBF2-AS1; gastric cancer; miR-302b-3p.
Affiliations: Department of General Surgery, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, People's Republic of China., Department of General Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, People's Republic of China.

Abstract:  Background and aims: Studies show that the long non-coding RNA, SBF2-AS1, plays a critical role in cancer progression, but the role of SBF2-AS1 in gastric cancer has not been reported. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of SBF2-AS1 in gastric cancer (GC). Methods: A meta-analysis, based on the gene expression omnibus database and TCGA dataset was performed to explore the prognostic value of SBF2-AS1 in GC. RT-PCR was also conducted to investigate the clinicopathologic value of SBF2-AS1 in GC. The effect of SBF2-AS1 in GC cell lines was conducted by gain or loss-of-function assays, and the SBF2-AS1 target gene was confirmed using a luciferase reporter assay and bioinformatics. Results: SBF2-AS1 was overexpressed in GC tissues and cell lines, and SBF2-AS1 overexpression indicated poor overall survival and could serve as an independent prognostic factor. Moreover, knockdown of SBF2-AS1 inhibited cell growth, invasion, and metastasis, promoted apoptosis, and caused cell cycle arrest. Luciferase reporter and gain- or loss-of-function assays indicated that SBF2-AS1 acted as a competing endogenous (ceRNA) for microRNA (miR)-302b-3p, which blocked the inhibitory effect of miR-302b-3p on the E2F transcription factor 3 (E2F3). Conclusion: SBF2-AS1 could be a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in GC, and SBF2-AS1 accelerates tumor progression via the miR-302b-3p/E2F3 axis. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 2020 retraction. https: www.dovepress.com retraction-the-long-non-coding-rna-sbf2-as1-exerts-oncogenic-functions-peer-reviewed-article-OTT Liang C, Yue C, Liang C, et al. The long non-coding RNA SBF2-AS1 exerts oncogenic functions in gastric cancer by targeting the miR-302b-3p E2F transcription factor 3 axis. Onco Targets Ther. 2019:12:8879u2013 8893. At the request of the authors, the Editor-in Chief and Publisher of OncoTargets and Therapy wish to retract this published article. On review of their published article the authors observed instances of image duplication in some of the figures. A summary of their concerns follows: Figure 4A, overlap of MKN28 (0h, shNC) and MKN28 (0h, sh2). Figure 4A, overlap of MKN28 (24h, sh2) and HGC27 (24h, sh2). Figure 7B, the upper half of (0h, E2F3 + miR-302b-3p) appears identical to the lower halves of (0h, miR-302b-3p) and (0h, E2F3). The authors were unable to provide a satisfactory response regarding the issues relating to the image duplication and the editor determined the findings of the study were no longer valid and advised the article needed to be retracted. The authors have agreed with this decision and wish to apologize for this error. 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. ,