LncRNA PWRN2 stimulates the proliferation and migration in papillary thyroid carcinoma through the miR-325/DDX5 axis

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to illustrate the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) PWRN2 in the development of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and the potential mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Expression levels of PWRN2. miR-325 and DDX5 in 32 PTC tissues and paired normal ones were detected. The interaction in the PWRN2/miR-325/DDX5 axis was assessed by Luciferase assay. At last, the roles of the PWRN2/miR-325/DDX5 axis in regulating proliferative and migratory potentials in PTC were examined. RESULTS: It was found that PWRN2 was upregulated and miR-325 was downregulated in PTC tissues and cell lines, MiR-325 level was negatively correlated with PWRN2 level in PTC samples, and the overexpression of PWRN2 stimulated proliferative and migratory potentials in PTC cells, which were partially abolished by overexpression of miR-325. In addition, DDX5 was the target gene binding to miR-325, and its level was negatively regulated by miR325. Moreover, Luciferase assay and rescue experiments confirmed that the PWRN2/miR-325/DDX5 axis aggravated the development of PTC. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA PWRN2 stimulates proliferative and migratory potentials in PTC through sponging miR-325 to upregulate DDX5.