Long Non-Coding RNA Brain Cytoplasmic RNA 1 Acts as an Oncogene and Regulates Cell Proliferation and Metastasis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can serve as oncogenes and tumor suppressors and are involved in tumorigenesis and chemotherapy resistance. Brain cytoplasmic RNA 1 (BCYRN1), as a translational modulator, is an lncRNA comprised of 200 bases that plays an important role in multiple cancers. In this study, we explored the biological role of the lncRNA, BCYRN1, in the development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We found that BCYRN1 was increased in NSCLC, and its downregulated expression could suppress NSCLC cell proliferation and cell cycle progression by inhibiting the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. Our results showed that the expression of BCYRN1 was higher in lung cancer cells compared with a normal bronchial epithelial cell line. Moreover, downregulation of BCYRN1 expression could inhibit cell proliferation and migration and induce apoptosis. Knockdown of BCYRN1 in NSCLC cells reduced a cohort of molecules (beta-catenin, c-Myc and cyclin D1) which are critical for cell proliferation and apoptosis. Our results suggested that BCYRN1 induces the proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells and plays an important role in NSCLC progression. BCYRN1 may provide a new target for therapeutic intervention in NSCLC.