Search

Accumulating data indicate that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve as important modulators in biological processes and are dysregulated in diverse tumors. The function of FOXD2-AS1in gastric cancer (GC) progression and related biological mechanisms remain undefined. A comprehensive analysis identified that FOXD2-AS1enrichment was upregulated markedly in GC and positively correlated with a large tumor size, a later pathologic stage, and a poor prognosis. Gene-set enrichment analysis (GSEA) in GEO datasets uncovered that cell cycle and DNA replication associated genes were enriched in patients with high FOXD2-AS1expression. Loss of FOXD2-AS1function inhibited cell growth via inhibiting the cell cycle in GC, whereas upregulation of FOXD2-AS1expression promoted cancer progression. The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and lysine (K)-specific demethylase 1A (LSD1) proteins were found to serve as binding partners of FOXD2-AS1and mediators of FOXD2-AS1function. Mechanically, FOXD2-AS1promoted GC tumorigenesis partly through EZH2 and LSD1 mediated EphB3 downregulation. The present results revealed that FOXD2-AS1acted as a tumor inducer in GC partly through EphB3 inhibition by direct interaction with EZH2 and LSD1, and may prove to be a potential biomarker of carcinogenesis.