THOR, a highly conserved lncRNA, is potentially involved in various cancer development. However, its involvement in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) remains unclear. The present study aims to explore the biological function and molecular mechanism of THOR in TSCC progression. The expressions of THOR and IGF2BP1 in TSCC tissues and adjacent non-cancerous tongue tissues (ANT) were examined through qRT-PCR. THOR levels were manipulated in TSCC cells to explore its function in cancer progression in vitro and in vivo, which were subsequently evaluated by CCK8, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, xenograft tumor assays. In situ hybridization, RIP and Western blot assay were performed to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. We discovered that THOR and IGF2BP1 were dramatically upregulated in TSCC tissues. The expression of THOR is positively correlated with IGF2BP1 mRNA level. THOR mediated IGF2 expression via interacting with IGF2BP1, and affected the downstream MEK-ERK signaling pathway to regulate TSCC cells proliferation. THOR/IGF2BP1/IGF2-MEK-ERK axis regulated the proliferation of TSCC cells, implying that THOR would be a promising therapeutic target for TSCC patients.

中文翻译：

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LncRNA THOR通过稳定IGF2BP1下游靶标来促进舌鳞癌。

THOR是高度保守的lncRNA，可能参与多种癌症的发展。但是，它是否参与舌鳞状细胞癌（TSCC）仍不清楚。本研究旨在探讨THOR在TSCC进展中的生物学功能和分子机制。通过qRT-PCR检测THOR和IGF2BP1在TSCC组织和邻近的非癌性舌组织（ANT）中的表达。在TSCC细胞中操纵THOR的水平以探索其在体外和体内癌症进展中的功能，随后通过CCK8，集落形成测定，流式细胞术，异种移植肿瘤测定进行评估。进行原位杂交，RIP和蛋白质印迹分析以探索潜在的分子机制。我们发现THOR和IGF2BP1在TSCC组织中显着上调。THOR的表达与IGF2BP1 mRNA水平呈正相关。THOR通过与IGF2BP1相互作用介导IGF2表达，并影响下游的MEK-ERK信号通路来调节TSCC细胞的增殖。THOR / IGF2BP1 / IGF2-MEK-ERK轴调节TSCC细胞的增殖，这意味着THOR将成为TSCC患者的有希望的治疗靶标。