Long non-coding RNA tumor protein 53 target gene 1 promotes cervical cancer development via regulating microRNA-33a-5p to target forkhead box K2 (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Long non-coding RNA tumor protein 53 target gene 1 (TP53TG1) has been studied in multiple diseases, while the regulatory function of TP53TG1 on cervical cancer (CC) via regulating microRNA (miR)-33a-5p to target Forkhead box K2 (FOXK2) remains limited. This study aims to unearth the effects of TP53TG1/miR-33a-5p/FOXK2 axis on CC. OBJECTIVE This study aims to unearth the effects of TP53TG1/miR-33a-5p/FOXK2 axis on CC. METHODS The clinical samples were collected and TP53TG1, miR-33a-5p and FOXK2 levels were examined in CC tissues. The CC cells were transfected with high- or low-expressed TP53TG1, FOXK2 and miR-33a-5p to determine the change of CC cell biological activities and the status of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway. The tumorigenesis in nude mice was conducted. The relationship among TP53TG1, miR-33a-5p and FOXK2 was validated. RESULTS TP53TG1 and FOXK2 were enriched and miR-33a-5p was inhibited in CC. The reduced TP53TG1 or FOXK2 or elevated miR-33a-5p decelerated the CC cell development and the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The depleted FOXK2 or enriched miR-33a-5p reversed the effects of decreased TP53TG1. TP53TG1 sponged miR-33a-5p which targeted FOXK2. The experiment in vivo validated the outcomes of the experiment in vitro. CONCLUSIONS TP53TG1 accelerates the CC development via regulating miR-33a-5p to target FOXK2 with the involvement of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. This study provides novel theory references and a distinct direction for the therapy strategies of CC.