LncRNA PSMB8-AS1 increases glioma malignancy via the miR-382-3p/BCAT1 axis

Background This study aimed to investigate the specific roles of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) proteasome 20S subunit beta 8 ( PSMB8 )-antisense RNA 1 ( AS1 )/microRNA ( miR ) -382–3p /branched-chain amino acid transaminase 1 ( BCAT1 ) interaction network in gliomas. Methods Western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were performed to assess the expression levels of lncRNA PSMB8-AS1, BCAT1 , and miR-382-3p . Moreover, the cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis were assessed using the cell counting kit-8, Transwell, and caspase-3 activity assays, respectively. The biological role of lncRNA PSMB8-AS1 in glioma was investigated in vivo using a xenograft mouse model. Additionally, the associations among lncRNA PSMB8-AS1, miR-382-3p , and BCAT1 were analyzed using dual-luciferase and RNA immunoprecipitation assays and bioinformatics analyses. Results Glioma cell lines and tissues exhibited overexpression of lncRNA PSMB8-AS1 and BCAT1 and low expression of miR-382-3p . Knockdown of PSMB8-AS1 remarkably repressed the tumor growth in vivo and the migration and proliferation of glioma cells in vitro . In contrast, knockdown of lncRNA PSMB8-AS1 increased the cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, PSMB8-AS1 directly targeted miR-382-3p . By sponging miR-382-3p , lncRNA PSMB8-AS1 stimulated the migration and proliferation of glioma cells and suppressed their apoptosis. Additionally, miR-382-3p directly targeted BCAT1 . Inhibition of miR-382-3p reversed the antitumor effects of BCAT1 silencing on glioma progression. Conclusion Our study revealed that lncRNA PSMB8-AS1 aggravated glioma malignancy by enhancing BCAT1 expression after competitively binding to miR-382-3p . Therefore, lncRNA PSMB8-AS1 may be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for glioma treatment.