<p>Long Non-Coding RNA C1QTNF1 Antisense RNA 1 Upregulates Hexokinase 2 by Sponging microRNA-484 to Promote the Malignancy of Colorectal Cancer</p>
Authors: Shifeng Jin
Wenjing Wang
Ze Li
Yi Liu
Journal: Cancer Management and Research (2020)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: competitive endogenous RNA; hexokinase 2; therapeutic target.
Affiliations: Department of Anorectal, The Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin 133021, People's Republic of China., Department of Colorectal and Stomach Cancer Surgery-1, Jilin Cancer Hospital, Changchun, Jilin 130000, People's Republic of China.

Abstract:  Purpose: The long noncoding RNA C1QTNF1 antisense RNA 1 (C1QTNF1-AS1) contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma development. However, its expression and roles in colorectal cancer (CRC) have not been fully explored. Therefore, this study determined the expression and roles of C1QTNF1-AS1 in CRC and elucidated its detailed mechanism of action. Methods: C1QTNF1-AS1 expression in CRC tissues and cell lines was assessed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). We used Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry, cell migration and invasion assays, and a xenograft tumor model to test the effects of C1QTNF1-AS1 on CRC malignancy. The associations among C1QTNF1-AS1, microRNA-484 (miR-484), and hexokinase 2 (HK2) were explored using luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting. Results: C1QTNF1-AS1 was overexpressed in CRC and related to poor prognosis. C1QTNF1-AS1 interference inhibited CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion but induced apoptosis. Furthermore, C1QTNF1-AS1 deficiency impaired tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, C1QTNF1-AS1 adsorbed miR-484, thereby increasing the expression of its target HK2. Rescue experiments revealed that the effects of C1QTNF1-AS1 deficiency in CRC cells were reversed by inhibiting miR-484 or upregulating HK2. Conclusion: C1QTNF1-AS1 drives CRC progression by sponging miR-484 and consequently upregulating HK2. The C1QTNF1-AS1/miR-484/HK2 pathway may serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for CRC. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Figs 1F, 3C, 4G, 5C. ![] The green rectangle marks a panel where the data points are a subset of points in in a matching panel from Fig 2C of [Dou et al (2020)] . I have adjusted the contrast and aspect ratios for ease of comparison. ![file] Here in context: ![file] To dramatise the overlap, here I have superimposed the two panels, shifting one to blue so that shared points become purple. ![file] A similar relationship exists between another panel, marked with a blue-grey box, and matching panels in Figs 4B of Dou et al and 6C of [Han, Huang Han (2020)] . ![file] , 
 Dear Hoya Thank you for your comment on our paper. We will check the figure of cell apoptosis, and compare our images with others you mentioned. We appreciate your careful examination. LI , 
 *[middle]* Fig 6A from [Jin et al (2020)] ,  The representative images of tumor xenografts formed from SW480 cells stably expressing sh-C1QTNF1-AS1 or sh-NC . *[left]* Fig 6A from [Zhao et al (2020)] ,  Images of excised tumor xenografts . *[right]* Fig 7B from [Tian et al (2021)] ,  Representative morphologies of the tumor xenografts from the shu2011LINC01006 and shu2011NC groups were obtained at week 4 . ![file] The decision of three separate research groups to photograph their tumor collections in such a similar style would not be suspicious in itself, but it sits alongside the many other similarities within this corpus of papers. , 
 Retracted [5 October 2021] . ------------------------------- The Editor and Publisher of Cancer Management and Research wish to retract the published paper. Concerns were raised over the flow cytometry data presented in the article. The authors responded to our queries but were unable to provide the original flow cytometry data for their study. The Editor determined the findings were no longer valid and the authors agreed with the decision to retract the article. 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. , 
 - *[left]* Fig 4C from  Long noncoding RNA LINC00205 enhances the malignant characteristics of retinoblastoma by acting as a molecular sponge of microRNA-665 and consequently increasing HMGB1 expression ([Zhang et al 2020] ) . - *[right]* **Fig 3D**. ![file] ,