LncRNA GACAT3 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression through regulation of miR-149/FOXM1

Abstract Background The long noncoding RNA gastric cancer associated transcript 3 (GACAT3) has been demonstrated to be implicated in the carcinogenesis and progression of many malignancies. However, GACAT3’s levels role esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) not elucidated. Methods GACAT3 amounts were investigated ESCC tissues lines by qPCR. Its biological functions examined CCK-8 assay, colony formation flow cytometry, wound healing transwell xenograft model establishment. relationship between miR-149 was assessed dual-luciferase reporter assay. Results elevated tissue specimens. Functional studies showed that silencing reduced proliferation, migration invasion cultured cells, decreased tumor growth mice. Furthermore, GACAT could directly interact with miR-149. In addition, assays verified promotes through Moreover, acted as a competing endogenous (ceRNA) modulate FOXM1 expression. Conclusions These findings indicate an oncogene acting ceRNA for expression ESCC, suggesting might constitute therapeutic target ESCC.