Abstract:

Aim: To analyze the biological role of the long non-coding RNA LINK-A. Materials and Methods: An 850-bp segment from the second exon of LINK-A was removed using the CRISPR/Cas9 system in OVCA433 ovarian serous carcinoma cells. Spheroid formation, migration, invasion, proliferation, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and expression of cell-signaling proteins were assessed in vitro. Results: OVCA433 cells with LINK-A deletion were more invasive (p=0.0008) but had reduced migration and MMP9 secretion compared to controls (p=0.003 and p=0.005, respectively). LINK-A deletion did not affect proliferation but induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (10-fold; p=0.005). LINK-A knock out additionally reduced spheroid formation. Conclusion: Added to our previous data from analysis of clinical specimens, LINK-A is likely to be a tumor suppressor.