<p>Overexpression of lncRNA MT1JP Mediates Apoptosis and Migration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Regulating miR-24-3p</p>
Authors: Qiu-Li Shan
Gui-Zhi Meng
Ning-Ning Chen
Fan Qu
Journal: Cancer Management and Research (2020)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: apoptosis; liver cancer; lncRNA MT1JP; miR-24-3p; migration.
Affiliations: College of Biological Science and Technology, University of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong Province 250022, People's Republic of China., Department of Pediatrics, The Second People's Hospital of Liaocheng, Liaocheng City, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.

Abstract:  Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of the long non-coding (lnc) RNA MT1JP on the apoptosis and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Patients and methods: Patients with liver cancer admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Liaocheng were included in this study. We transfected hepatocellular carcinoma cells with MT1JP and miR-24-3p and assessed their expression and effects on apoptosis and migration. Correlations were verified using a dual-luciferase reporter and RNA-binding protein coimmunoprecipitation. Results: The expression of MT1JP was downregulated (P &lt; 0.05), whereas that of miR-24-3p was upregulated in liver cancer. Serum MT1JP levels were correlated with tumor size, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), TNM stage, differentiation, and lymph node metastasis. Both MT1JP overexpression and miR-24-3p inhibition inhibited cellular proliferation and migration and increased apoptosis rates. They significantly downregulated expression of the cell migration-associated proteins matrix metalloproteinase -2, -9 (MMP-2, MMP-9) (P &lt; 0.05). They upregulated the expression of Bcl-2-related X protein (Bax) and cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinases (Caspase-3 and -9) proteins that are involved in apoptosis. They decreased expression of B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2; P &lt; 0.05). A target relationship between MT1JP and miR-24-3p was identified using dual-luciferase gene reporter assays and RNA-binding protein coimmunoprecipitations. MT1JP overexpression significantly downregulated miR-24-3p expression (P &lt; 0.05). MT1JP and miR-24-3p expression were negatively correlated in liver cancer tissues (r = -0.561, P &lt; 0.001; Pearson χ2 tests). Rescue experiments showed that upregulating miR-24-3p expression could counteract MT1JP overexpression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Conclusion: MT1JP, even when expressed at low levels, participates in the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of liver cancer cells by regulating miR-24-3p. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Figure 3F. * Some panels appear to show the same background, as marked with boxes of the same color. Could the authors please share the uncropped blots here? ![file] , 
 Figure 4F. * All left panels, and the top three rows on the right appear to show the same background. Could the authors please share the uncropped blots here? ![file] , 
 Fig 6G,  hepatoma cell apoptosis after co-transfection  . ![file] Each panel contains a halo of regularly-spaced dots, surrounding a central clump with a curious tapestry texture, almost woven in appearance. Compare, for instance, the FC scatterplots from [Qu et al (2020)] (recently [**retracted**] ). ![] ------------------------------------- Here is a spreadsheet containing similar examples of these crocheted beetroot scatterplots (currently 11 retractions): https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 1NKBplrpW1txuL9PjhYb3bbvtQbk-TcsnqyqI8Uj-5Q8 edit?usp=sharing ,