Long non-coding RNA DSCAM-AS1 accelerates the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma via sponging miR-338-3p
Authors: Tianhua Yu
Jinghui Yang
Guangrui Hu
Xuanhe Zhang
Degang Ji
Journal: American journal of translational research (2019)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: DSCAM-AS1; Hepatocellular carcinoma; invasion; miR-338-3p; proliferation.
Affiliations: Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University Changchun 130033, Jilin, China., Center of Physical Examination, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University Changchun 130033, Jilin, China., Shihezi University 221 North Fourth Road, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang, China., Department of Blood Transfusion, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University Changchun 130033, Jilin, China.

Abstract:  Aberrant expression of long non-coding RNA DSCAM-AS1 (Down Syndrome Cell Adhesion Molecule antisense) has been observed in several cancers. However, the expression status, biological function and underling mechanism of DSCAM-AS1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. The expression of DSCAM-AS1 was detected in HCC tissues and serum from both HCC patients and healthy controls. MTS, wound healing and transwell invasion assays were used to examine the effects of DSCAM-AS1 on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in HCC cells, respectively. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) targeted DSCAM-AS1 was predicated by Starbase2.0 and identified using luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. The xenograft mice were established to examine the effect DSCAM-AS1 on tumor growth in vivo. We found that DSCAM-AS1 was up-regulated in HCC tissues relative to adjacent non-tumor tissues. Serum levels of DSCAM-AS1 were higher in HCC patients than that in healthy controls. Increased DSCAM-AS1 was associated with poor prognosis. Knockdown of DSCAM-AS1 significantly inhibited HCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Moreover, miR-338-3p was confirmed as a direct target of DSCAM-AS1 in HCC cells. The miR-338-3p inhibitor could partially reverse the inhibitory effect of DSCAM-AS1 depletion in HCC cells. DSCAM-AS1 positively regulated CyclinD1 and smoothened (SMO) expression (two targets of miR-338-3p) in HCC cells. Moreover, tumor growth was tremendously retarded in nude mice received injection of SMCC-7721 cells transfected with sh-DSCAM-AS1. Taken together, the present work suggested that DSCAM-AS1 functioned as an oncogenic lncRNA that promoted HCC progression by sponging miR-338-3p. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 **Retracted** on 6 December 2021: https: link.springer.com article 10.1007 s12517-021-09177-7  The Editor-in-Chief and the Publisher have retracted this article because the content of this article is nonsensical. The peer review process was not carried out in accordance with the Publisher s peer review policy. The author has not responded to correspondence regarding this retraction. Retraction followed after earlier Editorial Expression of Concern: https: link.springer.com article 10.1007 s12517-021-08470-9  Following the publication of this topical collection of the Arabian Journal of Geosciences, the Publisher became aware of serious research integrity concerns within the collection. The peer review process was not carried out in accordance with the Publisheru2019s peer review policy (see https: www.springer.com gp editorial-policies peer-review-policy-process), and may have been deliberately manipulated. All articles in this topical collection are currently being assessed. The Publisher will take further editorial action where appropriate, once this investigation is complete. The authors were informed of the publication of this Editorial Expression of Concern using email addresses provided at submission. This topic has been covered by Retraction Watch: https: retractionwatch.com 2021 09 28 springer-nature-slaps-more-than-400-papers-with-expressions-of-concern-all-at-once ,