Long non-coding RNA DANCR promotes colorectal tumor growth by binding to lysine acetyltransferase 6A.

Recent studies have demonstrated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in cancer development and progression. However, the mechanism by which lncRNAs contribute to colorectal cancer remains unclear. In this study, we identified the lncRNA, DANCR, which was upregulated in colorectal cancer. The upregulation of DANCR expression was associated with shorter patient survival time. DANCR depletion decreased cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and tumorigenesis in a subcutaneous mouse xenograft model system. We further demonstrated that DANCR bound with lysine acetyltransferase 6A. This binding was essential for KAT6A acetyltransferase activity and thus, it influenced the expression of KAT6A target genes. Our data indicated that DANCR functions as an oncogenic lncRNA that promotes tumor development and progression. Therefore, DANCR may be a target molecule for colorectal cancer treatment.