Long noncoding RNA NSCLCAT1 increases non–small cell lung cancer cell invasion and migration through the Hippo signaling pathway by interacting with CDH1

Metastatic growth is the leading cause of cancer-related death in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Metastasis is believed to be initiated by an increase in cell motility mediated by the loss of cell–cell adhesion because of the suppression of E-cadherin [encoded by cadherin 1 (CDH1)]. However, very little is known about the molecular mechanism of CDH1 regulation. Therefore, we hypothesized that non–small cell lung cancer—associated transcript-1 (NSCLCAT1) suppresses functional CDH1 and mediates the Hippo signaling pathway, resulting in increased cell migration and invasion, and reduced apoptosis. Initially, microarray profiling and target prediction programs were employed to identify whether NSCLCAT1 targets CDH1. Next, quantitative PCR was used to determine the expression pattern of NSCLCAT1 in 114 specimens. The biologic functions of NSCLCAT1 in NSCLC were assessed through the up-regulation and down-regulation of the levels of endogenous NSCLCAT1 with the use of NSCLCAT1 vector or small interfering R...