Long Non-Coding RNA EGOT Promotes the Malignant Phenotypes of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells and Increases the Expression of HMGA2 via Down-Regulating miR-33a-5p
Authors: Hao Yun
Kehui Zhang
Fei Xie
Shimin Wu
Hongwu Ai
Journal: OncoTargets and therapy (2019)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: EGOT; HCC; HCV; HMGA2; miR-33a-5p.
Affiliations: Center for Clinical Laboratory, General Hospital of the Yangtze River Shipping, Wuhan Brain Hospital, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China., Center for Clinical Laboratory, Wuhan Kangjian Maternal and Infant Hospital, Wuhan 430050, People's Republic of China., Wuhan Center for Clinical Laboratory, Wuhan Fourth Hospital, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China., Puai Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430032, People's Republic of China.

Abstract:  Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). EGOT is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) induced after HCV infection that increases viral replication by antagonizing the antiviral response. Interestingly, EGOT also acts as a crucial regulator in multiple cancers. However, its role in HCC remains unclear. Methods: Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of EGOT in HCC samples and cell lines. CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay were performed to evaluate the effect of EGOT on proliferation. Scratch healing assay and transwell assay were used to detect the changes of migration and invasion. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of EGOT on apoptosis. Interaction between EGOT and miR-33a-5p was determined by bioinformatics analysis, RT-PCR, and dual-luciferase reporter assay. Western blot was used to confirm that high mobility group protein A2 (HMGA2) could be modulated by EGOT. Results: Compared with normal liver tissues, the expression level of EGOT in HCC tissues was significantly up-regulated. EGOT markedly regulated viability, migration and invasion of HCC cells. The expression level of EGOT was negatively correlated the expression level of miR-33a-5p. It is also confirmed that EGOT could specifically bind to miR-33a-5p and could reduce its expression, in turn, up-regulate the expression of HMGA2. Conclusion: Our data imply that EGOT may be a novel therapeutic target for HCC, and highlights the key role of EGOT/miR-33a-5p/HMGA2 in the progression of this deadly disease. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Figure2E and Figure3F ![file] , 
 Retracted [5 October 2022] . ---------------- The Editor and Publisher of OncoTargets and Therapy wish to retract the published article. Concerns were raised regarding the alleged duplication of images in Figures 2, 3 and 6. Specifically, - Figure 2E, si-RNA-NC appears to have been duplicated with the same image for Figure 6G, EGOT miR-33a-5p which has been rotated. - Figure 2E, siRNA-EGOT-1 appears to have been duplicated with the same image for Figure 3F, EGOT which has been rotated. - Figure 2F, si-RNA-NC appears to have been duplicated with the same image for Figure 3E, lncRNA-NC which has been rotated. - Figure 2F, si-RNA-NC appears to have been duplicated with the same image for Figure 6G, NC which has been rotated. - Figure 2F, siRNA-EGOT-1 appears to have been duplicated with the same image for Figure 3F, lncRNA-NC. - Figure 2F, siRNA-EGOT-1 appears to have been duplicated with the same image for Figure 6H, EGOT miR-33a-5p which has been rotated. - Figure 3E, lncRNA-NC appears to have been duplicated with the same image for Figure 6G, NC which has been rotated. - Figure 3F, lncRNA-NC appears to have been duplicated with the same image for Figure 6H, EGOT miR-33a-5p. The authors did not respond to our queries and the Editor requested to retract the article and the authors were notified of this. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as u201cRetractedu201d. ,