Long non‑coding RNA ST8SIA6‑AS1 promotes the migration and invasion of hypoxia‑treated hepatocellular carcinoma cells through the miR‑338/MEPCE axis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent types of cancer worldwide. Long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to frequently participate in the carcinogenesis and development of various types of cancer, including HCC. However, the molecular mechanisms of lncRNA ST8SIA6‑AS1 in HCC remain poorly understood. The present study performed bioinformatics analysis, in addition to using reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR (RT‑qPCR), nuclear‑cytoplasmic fractionation, RNA immunoprecipitation, and Transwell, wound healing, and dual‑luciferase reporter assays, to determine the biological role and regulatory mechanisms of ST8SIA6‑AS1 in HCC. The results revealed that the expression levels of ST8SIA6‑AS1 were upregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines, which were associated with a poor prognosis. Moreover, the genetic knockdown of ST8SIA6‑AS1 inhibited the hypoxia‑induced HCC cell migration and invasion. Additionally, microRNA (miR)‑338, which exhibited downregulated expression levels in HCC tissues and cell lines, was discovered to bind with ST8SIA6‑AS1. The inhibition of miR‑338 partially reversed the inhibitory effects of ST8SIA6‑AS1‑knockdown on the migration and invasion of HCC cells under hypoxia. Subsequently, methylphosphate capping enzyme (MEPCE) was identified to be targeted and negatively regulated by miR‑338. Notably, the overexpression of MEPCE recovered the inhibitory influence over the migratory and invasive abilities of hypoxia‑treated HCC cells promoted by ST8SIA6‑AS1 inhibition. In conclusion, the findings of the present study suggest that lncRNA ST8SIA6‑AS1 may promote the migration and invasion of hypoxia‑induced HCC cells via the miR‑338/MEPCE axis, indicating a potential diagnostic or therapeutic marker for HCC treatment.