LINC02081 as an oncogene promotes cell proliferation and G2/M cycle through p53 signaling pathway in lung adenocarcinoma

Background: LINC02081 is a newly identified long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) with an uncharacterized biological function. This study aimed to investigate the role of LINC02081 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Methods: Bioinformatics analysis utilizing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database assessed LINC02081 expression and its clinical significance. Nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA fractionation detected the subcellular localization of LINC02081. Cell proliferation was evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays, and colony formation assays. Flow cytometry analyzed the cell cycle and apoptosis. p53 expression was assessed via immunofluorescence, while p21 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were analyzed by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results: LINC02081 was highly expressed in LUAD tissues, both in the TCGA dataset and our clinical samples. Elevated LINC02081 expression correlated positively with poor prognosis and advanced clinical stage. LINC02081 localized predominantly to the nucleus. Gene enrichment analysis revealed significant associations between LINC02081 and both the cell cycle and p53 signaling pathway. Successful knockdown of LINC02081 using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) significantly suppressed LUAD cell proliferation, inhibited G2/M phase progression, and promoted cell apoptosis. Knockdown of LINC02081 promoted p53 and p21 expression. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that LINC02081 promotes the malignant progression of LUAD. This effect may involve the p53 signaling pathway. This study provides novel insights into LUAD pathogenesis and indicates LINC02081 may be a potential therapeutic target.