Knockdown of long non-coding RNA LCPAT1 inhibits autophagy in lung cancer

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in numerous biological processes in lung cancer cells. In our previous studies, we identified a lncRNA, , which is highly expressed in lung carcinomas, and termed it lung cancer progression-associated transcript 1 ( ). To characterize the role of in lung cancer, we conducted the current study. Expression of and autophagy-associated markers in tumor tissues and lung cancer cell lines was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate xenografted tumor tissues. Autophagy induced by rapamycin was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence in lung cancer cell lines. Expression of and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta ( ) was positively correlated in lung cancer. Knockdown of inhibited tumor growth and suppressed cell autophagy . Moreover, knockdown in lung cancer cell lines resulted in decreased autophagy-associated gene expression and alleviated the cell autophagy induced by rapamycin. We speculate that plays a crucial role in regulating autophagy in lung cancer.