Long noncoding RNA SLC30A10 promotes colorectal tumor proliferation and migration via miR-21c/APC axis

Objective Colorectal cancer is a common malignancy and a common cause of tumor-related death. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have become an important regulatory factor and tissue specific biomarker for a variety of cancers, including colorectal cancer. Recent evidence indicates that the novel lncRNA SLC30A10 plays an important role in tumor progression and metastasis. However, its role and molecular mechanisms in colorectal cancer are unclear. Patients and methods SLC30A10 expression was detected in 12 colorectal cancer and adjacent normal tissues by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Insights into the underlying mechanisms of competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) were determined by transwell assay, CCK8 assay, and luciferase assay. Results SLC30A10 was down-regulated in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines, and its low expression was positively correlated with colorectal cancer progression and metastasis. Functionally, SLC30A10 depletion promotes cell proliferation and migration in colorectal cancer cells, while SLC30A10 overexpression has the opposite effect. Bioinformatics prediction and luciferase assay indicated that miR-21c is a direct target of SLC30A10, which plays the role of ceRNA in regulating colorectal cancer metastasis. In addition, miR-21c specifically targets APC gene. Conclusions Our findings suggest that reduced expression of SLC30A10 is associated with aggressive tumor phenotypes and poor patient outcomes in colorectal cancer. SLC30A10 inhibits colorectal cancer progression and metastasis by acting as a ceRNA for miR-21c to regulate APC expression, suggesting that SLC30A10 may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker and anti-metastatic therapeutic target for colorectal cancer.