RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 LncRNA DCST1-AS1 functions as a competing endogenous RNA to regulate FAIM2 expression by sponging miR-1254 in hepatocellular carcinoma JF Clinical Science JO Clin Sci FD Portland Press Ltd SP 367 OP 379 DO 10.1042/CS20180814 VO 133 IS 2 A1 Chen, Jing A1 Wu, Di A1 Zhang, Yue A1 Yang, Yong A1 Duan, Yunfei A1 An, Yong YR 2019 UL http://www.clinsci.org/content/133/2/367.abstract AB Accepted Manuscript online January 7, 2019.Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in a variety of tumours; however, their biological function and clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still unclear. In the present study, the clinical significance, biological function and regulatory mechanisms of lncRNA DCST1-AS1 in HCC were investigated. Differential lncRNAs in HCC were identified based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The biological function and mechanism of DCST1-AS1 were studied in vitro and in vivo. LncRNA DCST1-AS1 was highly expressed in HCC tissues, and the high expression of DCST1-AS1 was significantly correlated with larger tumours and shorter survival time. Moreover, DCST1-AS1 knockout significantly inhibited proliferation, promoted apoptosis and cycle arrest of HCC cells, and inhibited tumour growth in vivo. According to functional analysis, DCST1-AS1 competitively bound miR-1254, thus blocking the silencing effect of miR-1254 on the target gene Fas apoptosis inhibitor 2 (FAIM2). A novel lncRNA DCST1-AS1 that functions as an oncogene in HCC was discovered. DCST1-AS1 up-regulates the expression of FAIM2 by up-regulating the expression of miR-1254, ultimately promoting the proliferation of HCC cells. This research provides new therapeutic targets for HCC.CCK-8, cell counting kit-8; ceRNA, competing endogenous RNA; FAIM2, Fas apoptosis inhibitor 2; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; lncRNA, long non-coding RNA; NC, normal control; NSCLC, non-small cell lung cancer; OS, overall survival; qRT-PCR, quantificative real-time PCR; RIP, RNA immunoprecipitation; SCLC, small cell lung cancer; TCGA, The Cancer Genome Atlas