Long non‐coding RNA TMPO‐AS1 facilitates the progression of colorectal cancer cells via sponging miR‐98‐5p to upregulate BCAT1 expression

Abstract Background and Aim Colorectal cancer, as a common malignant carcinoma in the gastrointestinal tract, has a high mortality globally. However, the specific molecular mechanisms of long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) thymopoietin antisense transcript 1 (TMPO‐AS1) in colorectal cancer were unclear. Methods We tested the expression level of TMPO‐AS1 via qRT‐PCR in colorectal cancer cells, while the protein levels of branched chain amino acid transaminase 1 (BCAT1) and the stemness‐related proteins were evaluated by western blot analysis. Colony formation, EdU staining, TUNEL, flow cytometry, and sphere formation assays were to assess the biological behaviors of colorectal cancer cells. Then, luciferase reporter, RIP, and RNA pull down assay were applied for confirming the combination between microRNA‐98‐5p (miR‐98‐5p) and TMPO‐AS1/BCAT1. Results TMPO‐AS1 was aberrantly expressed at high levels in colorectal cancer cells. Silenced TMPO‐AS1 restrained cell proliferation and stemness and promoted apoptosis oppositely, while overexpressing TMPO‐AS1 exerted the adverse effects. Furthermore, miR‐98‐5p was proven to a target of TMPO‐AS1 inhibit cell progression in colorectal cancer. Additionally, BCAT1 was proved to enhance cell progression as the target of miR‐98‐5p, and it offset the effect of silenced TMPO‐AS1 on colorectal cancer cells. Conclusion TMPO‐AS1 promotes the progression of colorectal cancer cells via sponging miR‐98‐5p to upregulate BCAT1 expression.