Long non coding RNA MALAT1 acts as a competing endogenous RNA to promote malignant melanoma growth and metastasis by sponging miR 22
Long non coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in tumorigenesis. Metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) an lncRNAs, is associated with the growth and metastasis of many human tumors, but its biological roles in malignant melanoma remain unclear. In this study, the aberrant up regulation of MALAT1 was detected in melanoma. We determined that MALAT1 promotes melanoma cells proliferation, invasion and migration by sponging miR 22. MiR 22 was decreased and acted as a tumor suppressor in melanoma, and MMP14 and Snail were the functional targets of miR 22. Furthermore, MALAT1 could modulate MMP14 and Snail by operating as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR 22. The effects of MALAT1 in malignant melanoma is verified using a xenograft model. This finding elucidates a new mechanism for MALAT1 in melanoma development and provides a potential target for melanoma therapeutic intervention.
Oncotarget