RESUMO
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently been reported to act as important mediators of tumor initiation and progression. The present study aimed to investigate the expression and pathogenic roles of the lncRNA prostate cancerassociated noncoding RNA (PRNCR)12 in breast cancer. The expression levels of PRNCR12 were detected in breast cancer tissues and numerous breast cancer cell lines using reverse transcriptionquantitative polymerase chain reaction. Depletion of PRNCR12 expression in breast cancer cells was conducted through small interfering RNAmediated silencing. Subsequently, cell proliferation was assessed by MTS assay, cell migration and invasion capacities were evaluated using the Transwell culture system, and cell cycle progression and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Protein expression levels of the signaling components checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2), protein kinase B (AKT), phosphorylated (p)CHK2 and pAKT were measured by western blotting. The results demonstrated that PRNCR12 expression was significantly elevated in breast cancer tissues compared with in adjacent normal tissues. Furthermore, depletion of PRNCR12 in HS578T and MDAMB231 breast cancer cells markedly suppressed their proliferation rates, migration and invasion capacities, and cell cycle progression; however, it had no effect on cell apoptosis. In addition, PRNCR12 depletion increased CHK2 phosphorylation and decreased AKT phosphorylation in HS578T and MDAMB231 cells. In conclusion, the lncRNA PRNCR12 may promote breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion and cell cycle progression.