LncRNA CERS6 - AS1 mediates the IGF2BP1/LIN28B axis to promote proliferation, migration and invasion in ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer remains a significant clinical challenge for women's health, making it imperative to elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms. LncRNA CERS6-AS1 and LIN28B-binding proteins play a vital role in the development of ovarian cancer. The expression levels of CERS6-AS1 and LIN28B in ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines were evaluated using qPCR. Protein levels were analyzed through IHC. The survival rate was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier curve. LIN28B or CERS6-AS1 was silenced via RNA interference (shRNA), and the effects on proliferation, migration, and invasion were examined through cell cloning, scratch assays, and Transwell assays. RNA pull-down and RIP experiments confirmed the binding of CERS6-AS1 to IGF2BP1 and enhances on the stability of LIN28B mRNA. Finally, LIN28B overexpression was performed for functional recovery experiments. Elevated expression of CERS6-AS1 and LIN28B was observed in both clinical ovarian cancer specimens and derived cell lines. The knockdown of LIN28B suppressed ovarian cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Molecular investigations revealed that CERS6-AS1 stabilized LIN28B through IGF2BP1 binding. Furthermore, CERS6-AS1 depletion similarly attenuated malignant phenotypes, effects that were rescued by LIN28B overexpression. Collectively, the CERS6-AS1-regulated IGF2BP1/LIN28B signaling axis promoted ovarian cancer progression by enhancing tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion, highlighting this pathway as a promising therapeutic target.