Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Previous studies indicate that lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 is highly expressed in CRC, but its role in modulating CRC via the P53 signaling pathway remains unclear. In this study, we found that FEZF1-AS1 promotes the growth of the CRC cell line (HCT116) and drives epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through the P53 signaling pathway. Our data showed that FEZF1-AS1 expression is significantly upregulated in HCT116, and elevated levels of FEZF1-AS1 are associated with poor prognosis in patients with CRC. In addition, the knockdown of FEZF1-AS1 markedly inhibited the proliferation of HCT116 by inducing cell cycle arrest. Knockdown of FEZF1-AS1 depletion also led to apoptosis in CRC cells by suppressing the P53 signaling pathway and EMT, thereby reducing their viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion. In summary, this study confirmed that FEZF1-AS1 regulates the growth of junction HCT116 through P53 signaling pathway and inhibiting EMT, providing new insights for the potential therapeutic strategies against CRC.
Keywords: EMT; FEZF1-AS1; P53 signaling pathway; colorectal cancer.