Knockdown of lncRNA OGFRP1 Inhibits Proliferation and Invasion of JEG-3 Cells Via AKT/mTOR Pathway

Increasing evidence indicates the pivotal role of long noncoding RNAs in a variety of cancers, but there is limited focus on the link between long noncoding RNAs and gestational choriocarcinoma. This study aimed to examine the role of long noncoding RNA OGFRP1 in JEG-3 and JAR cells. Small interfering RNA was used to downregulate long noncoding RNA OGFRP1 level. Cell proliferation was measured by cell counting kit-8 and clone formation assays. Cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Cell invasion was examined by transwell assay. Protein expression was determined by Western blot. A double-effect inhibitor (BEZ235) that inhibits AKT and mTOR phosphorylation was used as a positive control. Knockdown of long noncoding RNA OGFRP1 significantly inhibited the proliferation of JEG-3 and JAR cells. Knockdown of long noncoding RNA OGFRP1 induced cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and apoptosis. On the other hand, knockdown of long noncoding RNA OGFRP1 inhibited the invasion of JEG-3 and JAR cells. Finally, knockdown of long noncoding RNA OGFRP1 resulted in the inactivation of AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. In addition, knockdown of long noncoding RNA OGFRP1 caused changes in the expression of intracellular cell cycle–related proteins and apoptosis-related proteins, including downregulation of CDK4, CDK6, Cyclin D1, Nusap1, and Bcl2 protein expression and upregulation of Bax protein expression. In conclusion, we found that downregulation of long noncoding RNA OGFRP1 inhibited cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and invasion of JEG-3 and JAR cells and induced apoptosis through AKT/mTOR pathway. This study extends the understanding of the function of long noncoding RNA OGFRP1 in tumorigenesis, and these findings may be important for developing a potential therapeutic target for gestational choriocarcinoma therapy.