lncRNA TYMSOS Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Metastasis in Thyroid Carcinoma through Regulating MARCKSL1 and Activating the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway

Abstract

Thyroid carcinoma (THCA) has been increasing in incidence greater than other cancers. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were reported to play crucial roles in THCA development. Our study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism of lncRNA thymidylate synthetase opposite strand RNA (TYMSOS) in THCA. TYMSOS and myristoylated alanine rich protein kinase C substrate like 1 (MARCKSL1) were upregulated whereas miR-130a-5p was downregulated in THCA cells and tissues. The results of loss-of-function assays showed that TYMSOS knockdown inhibited cell metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in THCA. TYMSOS was primarily distributed in the cytoplasm of THCA cells, as shown by FISH assay. RNA pulldown and luciferase reporter assay further showed that TYMSOS binds with miR-130a-5p. Luciferase reporter assay also revealed that MARCKSL1 is targeted by miR-130a-5p. Rescue assay showed that the suppression of TYMSOS downregulation on THCA cell malignant behaviors was reversed by MARCKSL1 overexpression. Additionally, overexpressing MARCKSL1 offset the inhibition of TYMSOS downregulation on the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. TYMSOS knockdown inhibits the growth of THCA tumors, as in vivo assays showed. Collectively, TYMSOS facilitates THCA progression by sponging miR-130a-5p and upregulating MARCKSL1 to activate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, providing new avenues for THCA treatment.