Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently been identified as crucial biomarkers of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). In this study, we aimed
Abstract Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently been identified as crucial biomarkers of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). In this study, we aimed to investigate the biological function and potential clinical role of lncRNA ENST00000494165 in PTC. From January 2019 to December 2019, 226 PTC patients who underwent preoperative thyroid US-fine needle aspiration biopsy(US-FNAB) and confirmed by postoperative pathology were enrolled at our hospital. Thyroid tissues were collected from FNAB samples and stored in the refrigerator at –80°C. qRT-PCR (quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) analysis was performed to detect the relative expression level of ENST00000494165. CCK-8 (Cell Counting Kit-8) and colony formation assay were performed to detect the cell proliferation ability. Cell migration and invasion abilities were evaluated by transwell and scratch assay. We also evaluated the relation between the expression level of ENST00000494165 and the clinicopathological features of PTC. Functional assays demonstrated that the cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities were all promoted in PTC cell lines when ENST00000494165 expression was overexpressed. The expression of ENST00000494165 in the lymph node metastasis group was significantly higher than that in non-lymph node metastasis group. High level expression of ENST00000494165 was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis of PTC (P < 0.001). The overexpression of ENST00000494165 promoted the progression, migration and invasion abilities of PTC and was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis in PTC. ENST00000494165 could act as a possible promoter gene and a potential biomarker for PTC.