MaTAR25 lncRNA regulates the Tensin1 gene to impact breast cancer progression

Misregulation of long non-coding RNA genes has been linked to a wide variety of cancer types. Here we report on Mammary Tumor Associated RNA 25 (MaTAR25), a nuclear enriched and chromatin associated lncRNA that plays a role in mammary tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, both in vitro and in vivo. MaTAR25 functions by interacting with purine rich element binding protein B, and associating with a major downstream target gene Tensin 1 (Tns1) to regulate its expression in trans. Knockout of MaTAR25 results in down-regulation of Tns1 leading to a reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, and a reduction of focal adhesions and microvilli. The human ortholog of MaTAR25, LINC01271, is upregulated with human breast cancer stage and metastasis. RNA-seq: Transcriptome profiles of MaTAR25 control and KO cells ChIRP-seq: Chromatin Immunoprecipitation by RNA Purification (ChIRP) - seq of MaTAR25 in mammary tumor cells to identify MaTAR25 target genes