Long non-coding RNA TRPM2-AS regulates microRNA miR-138-5p and PLAU (Plasminogen Activator, Urokinase) to promote the progression of gastric adenocarcinoma

Gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) is a common malignant tumor, accounting for 95% of gastric cancers. However, the effects and regulatory mechanisms of long non-coding RNA TRPM2-AS (TRPM2-AS) in GAC have not been fully explored. Our study investigates the action mechanism of TRPM2-AS in GAC. After performing quantitative Real-Time polymerase chain reaction or western blotting, we found that the levels of TRPM2-AS and Plasminogen Activator, Urokinase (PLAU) were upregulated in GAC, whereas the level of miR-138-5p was downregulated. Cell function experiments proved that silencing TRPM2-AS suppressed proliferation and migration and induced apoptosis in GAC cells. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase assay identified the interaction between TRPM2-AS, miR-138-5p, and PLAU. In addition, the inhibitory effect of silencing TRPM2-AS on GAC cells could be partially relieved by PLAU overexpression. In conclusion, our study revealed that TRPM2-AS sponging miR-138-5p to upregulate PLAU could contribute to GAC progression, which might be useful for identifying biomarkers for GAC therapy. <b>Abbreviation</b> Gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC); Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA); lncRNA TRPM2 antisense RNA (TRPM2-AS); Plasminogen Activator, Urokinase (PLAU); Wild-type (WT); mutant (MUT).