Knockdown of long noncoding RNA DLX6-AS1 inhibits migration and invasion of thyroid cancer cells by upregulating UPF1
Authors: G-D Yao
Y-J Wu
X-F Ge
X-N Hu
J-N Luo
Z-B Zhong
Z-N Yuan
G Li
Y-W Wang
Journal: European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences (2019)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: lncRNA; DLX6-AS1; thyroid cancer; UPF1; tumor progression
Affiliations: Department of Head and Neck Cancer Radiation Therapy, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China. .

Abstract:  Objective: Recently, long non- coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have attracted much attention for their roles in tumor progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the exact role of lncRNA DLX6 antisense RNA 1 (DLX6-AS1) in the development of thyroid cancer (TC), and to explore the underlying mechanism. Patients and methods: DLX6-AS1 expression in both TC cells and tissue samples was detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Moreover, transwell assay and wound healing assay were conducted. QRT-PCR and Western blot assay were used to explore the underlying mechanism. Furthermore, the function of DLX6-AS1 was identified in vivo. Results: DLX6-AS1 expression level in TC tissues was significantly higher than that of the corresponding normal tissues. Moreover, TC cell migration and invasion were markedly inhibited after DLX6-AS1 was knocked down in vitro. The mRNA and protein expressions of UPF1 were both remarkably up-regulated after knockdown of DLX6-AS1. Meanwhile, the expression level of UPF1 was negatively correlated with the expression of DLX6-AS1 in TC tissues. Furthermore, knockdown of DLX6-AS1 significantly inhibited tumor metastasis in vivo. Conclusions: Knockdown of DLX6-AS1 could inhibit TC cell migration and invasion via upregulating UPF1, which might be a potential therapeutic target in TC. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 This paper is one of a set of 121 papers that all contain images from the same library of about 100 photos and plots. This is unexpected, because each paper has different authors and different affiliations, with little to no overlap, and describes different cancer types and molecules. It would be very hard to explain how authors from different labs would all obtain the same photo. Therefore, the papers might have all be derived from the same source, such as a paper mill that sells ready-to-be-published papers. This  Stock Photo paper set has been described in more detail on my blog post, https: scienceintegritydigest.com 2020 07 05 the-stock-photo-paper-mill and in a Wall Street Journal article by Eva Xiao (currently behind a paywall): https: www.wsj.com articles chinese-research-papers-raise-doubts-fueling-global-questions-about-scientific-integrity-11593939600 The vast majority (113 121) of the papers were published in the same journal, European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences (ERMPS). A link to the full set of papers can be found here: https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 172RWS18w1lTNJ9Nnj80fuXXTqTm4fGkoK0sdYyvKE3g edit?usp=sharing All papers have been reported to the journal editors on July 2, 2020. , 
 [Retracted] . Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, u201cKnockdown of long noncoding RNA DLX6-AS1 inhibits migration and invasion of thyroid cancer cells by upregulating UPF1, by Z.-B. Zhong, Y.-J. Wu, J.-N. Luo, X.-N. Hu, Z.-N. Yuan, G. Li, Y.-W. Wang, G.-D. Yao, X.-F. Ge, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23(24): 10867-10873u2013DOI: 10.26355 eurrev_201912_19790u2013PMID: 31858555u201d has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. , 
 http: www.most.gov.cn zxgz kycxjs kycxgzdt 202201 t20220127_179206.html Google Translated Date: January 27, 2022 14:44 Source: Ministry of Science and Technology u3000u300030. The paper  Knockdown of long noncoding RNA DLX6-AS1 inhibits migration and invasion of thyroid cancer cells by upregulating UPF1 in which Zhong Zhenbin is the first author and Ge Xiaofeng is the corresponding author, Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Harbin Medical University. After investigation, it was found that the paper was written, voted, and improperly signed. Zhong Zhenbin will be dealt with as follows: order to withdraw the manuscript, exhort him to talk about scientific research integrity, cancel his application for scientific and technological plans (special projects, funds, etc.) projects and award qualifications for 5 years, cancel his qualification for promotion as a postgraduate tutor for 4 years, and cancel his qualification for promotion to professional titles for 3 years; Ge Xiaofeng will be dealt with as follows: the scientific research integrity admonition talk, his application for science and technology plans (special projects, funds, etc.) projects and awards will be cancelled for 3 years, and his qualifications for academic degree graduate admissions will be cancelled for 3 years. **Check to prevent the same thing from happening.** [emphasis added] u3000u3000(Notification link: https: www.hrbmu.edu.cn kyc info 1026 1323.htm) ,