LncRNA FGF14‐AS2 represses growth of prostate carcinoma cells via modulating miR‐96‐5p/AJAP1 axis

Objective This investigation devoted to lncRNA FGF14 antisense RNA 2 (FGF14‐AS2) in prostate carcinoma progression. Methods The levels of lncRNA FGF14‐AS2, miR‐96‐5p, and Adherens junction‐associated protein‐1 (AJAP1) in prostate carcinoma were tested by Western blot and qRT‐PCR. How these two genes interacted was confirmed by RNA immunoprecipitation and dualluciferase gene methods. The effect of FGF14‐AS2/miR‐96‐5p/AJAP1 axis in prostate carcinoma progression was determined by MTT, Transwell, and nude mice tumor model. Results FGF14‐AS2 was a downregulated lncRNA in prostate carcinoma tissue and cells. FGF14‐AS2 could restrain miR‐96‐5p expression while miR‐96‐5p hampered AJAP1. FGF14‐AS2 could effectively decrease the biological behaviors of prostate carcinoma cells, while knock‐down of FGF14‐AS2 triggered opposite results. Moreover, miR‐96‐5p mimic presented a cancer promoter role in prostate carcinoma cells. AJAP1 expression level could affect levels of proteins related to epithelial‐mesenchymal transition. In vivo experiment suggested that overexpressing FGF14‐AS2 could reverse the promotion of silenced AJAP1 on prostate carcinoma cell metastasis, thus to inhibit tumor growth. Conclusion lncRNA FGF14‐AS2 was a downregulated lncRNA in prostate carcinoma and influenced cell proliferation and metastasis. The influence relied on modulating miR‐96‐5p and its target gene AJAP1. For in vitro cellular functional assay, FGF14‐AS2 expression was decreased in prostate carcinoma cells and the sponging effect of this gene on miR‐96‐5p was attenuated. As a result, miR‐96‐5p bound with its target gene AJAP1, resulting in the degradation of AJAP1. In this way, the proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition of prostate carcinoma cells were regulated.For in vivo assay, a xenograft transplantation nude mouse tumor model was constructed, suggesting that overexpressing FGF14‐AS2 reversed the promoting effect of silencing AJAP1 on the tumor growth of prostate carcinoma.