Inhibiting lncRNA LINC00958 expression promotes apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells and increases the radiosensitivity throuth targeting miR-422a

Objective To investigate the effect of lncRNA LINC00958 on the apoptosis and radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer cells and its underlying mechanism. Methods The pcDNA, pcDNA-LINC00958, si-NC, si-LINC00958, miR-NC, and miR-422a plasmids were transfected into SW480 cells and assigned into the pcDNA group, pcDNA-LINC00958 group, si-NC group, si-LINC00958 group, miR-NC group, miR-422a group, respectively. Anti-miR-NC and anti-miR-422a plasmids were co-transfected into SW480 cells with si-LINC00958, and assigned into the si-LINC00958+anti-miR-NC group and si-LINC00958+anti-miR-422a group. miR-NC and miR-422a were transfected into the WT-LINC00958 and MUT-LINC00958 cells, respectively. The fluorescence activity was detected. Cell transfection was performed by liposome method. The expression levels of miR-422a and LINC00958 were measured by qRT-PCR. The expression levels of proteins were detected by Western Blot. Cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. The radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer cells was evaluated by cell clone formation assay. The fluorescence activity was detected by dual luciferase reporter assay. Results High expression of LINC00958 and low expression of miR-422a were observed in colorectal cancer cells. Inhibition of LINC00958 expression and overexpression of miR-422a could promote cell apoptosis and increase cell radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer cells. LINC00958 could target the regulation of miR-422a expression. Inhibition of miR-422a reversed the effect of inhibiting the expression of LINC00958 on increasing the radiosensitization and promoting cell apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells. Conclusions Inhibition of LINC00958 expression increases the radiosensitivity and promotes the apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of miR-422a, which will provide new targets and new ideas for the treatment of colorectal cancer.