ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the effect of lncRNA UCA1 on the radiosensitivity of in vitro cultured glioma cell lines SHG-44, U87 and U251 by regulating the miR-873-5p expression. Methods:The survival of glioma cells SHG-44, U87 and U251 treated with different radiation intensities (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy) was detected by colony formation assay. The expression levels of UCA1 in glioma cells SHG-44, U87 and U251 were measured by qRT-PCR. The radiation-resistant glioma cells U87 and U251 were selected for subsequent study. After silencing UCA1 expression and/or over-expressing miR-873-5p, the cell survival rate was detected by colony formation assay, and the cell apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay and qRT-PCR were employed to verify the targeting relationship between UCA1 and miR-873-5p.Results:UCA1 was up-regulated in the radiation-resistant U87 and U251 cells. Silencing UCA1 or over-expressing miR-873-5p inhibited the survival of U87 and U251 cells, and promoted the cell apoptosis induced by radiation exposure. miR-873-5p was a target gene of UCA1, and UCA1 negatively regulated the expression of miR-873-5p. The inhibition of miR-873-5p could reverse the effect of silencing UCA1 on the radiosensitivity of glioma cells. Silencing UCA1 increased the inhibitory effect of radiation on the glioma cell U251 xenografts.Conclusion:Silencing UCA1 inhibits the survival of glioma cells and promotes the cell apoptosis by up-regulating the expression of miR-873-5p, thereby increasing the radiosensitivity of glioma cells.