LncRNA DANCR targets miR-185-5p to upregulate LIM and SH3 protein 1 (LASP1) promoting prostate cancer via the FAK/PI3K/AKT/GSK3β/Snail pathway.

BACKGROUND LncRNA DANCR acts as an oncogene in different cancers, but its roles in prostate cancer are not fully reported. We aim to explore its mechanism in facilitating the malignancy of prostate cancer. METHODS The expressions of DANCR, miR-185-5p and LASP1 in 40 pairs of prostate cancer tissues and normal tissues, 5 prostate cancer cell lines and 1 epithelial cell line were assessed by qRT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry respectively. In transfected PC3 and C4-2 cells, cell proliferation, migration, invasion, cell cycle distribution and EMT protein expressions were tested via CCK-8, wound healing, transwell, flow cytometry and western blot assays respectively. The interactions between DANCR, miR-185-5p, and LASP1 were verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Rescue experiments were conducted to determine the roles of DANCR on the malignant properties of PC3 and C4-2 cells. The involvement of signaling pathway was examined using a p-FAK inhibitor. RESULTS DANCR and LASP1 expressions were enhanced whereas miR-185-5p expression was diminished in prostate cancer tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of DANCR suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion, G1-S transition, and expressions of EMT proteins of the transfected PC3 and C4-2 cells. DANCR sponged miR-185-5p to upregulate LASP1 expression. DANCR-miR-185-5p-LASP1 axis activates FAK/PI3K/AKT/GSK3β/Snail pathway to promote the malignant properties of PC3 and C4-2 cells. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that DANCR exerts oncogenic roles in prostate cancer via miR-185-5p/LASP1 axis activating FAK/PI3K/AKT/GSK3β/Snail pathway. It can be a potential biomarker in the diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer.