Objective  To detect the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) KCNQ1 overlapping transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) in tissues of lung squamous cell carcinoma and to explore the influence of KCNQ1OT1 gene on cellular proliferation, migration and invasive ability of NCI-H266 cells.

  Methods  Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of KCNQ1OT1 gene in the tissues of lung squamous cell carcinoma. Small interfering RNA (siRNA-KCNQ1OT1) of KCNQ1OT1 gene was constructed to transfect the NCI-H266 cells, and RT-PCR was used to detect transfection effect. MTT was used to detect cellular proliferation of the NCI-H266 cells, scarification test was used to detect migration ability of the NCI-H266 cells, and the invasive ability of NCI-H266 cells was detected in Transwell cells.

  Results  KCNQ1OT1 gene was significantly over-expressed in lung squamous cell carcinoma (P < 0.05). The over-expression of KCNQ1OT1 was correlated with differentiation, tumor volume, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage of lung squamous cell carcinoma. The expression of KCNQ1OT1 in NCI-H266 cells was significantly down-regulated by transfection of si-KCNQ1OT1 (P < 0.05). Silencing KCNQ1OT1 was able to significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of NCI-H266 cells (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  Up-regulation of KCNQ1OT1 gene expression is associated with the occurrence and development of lung squamous cell carcinoma. Silencing KCNQ1OT1 can significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of NCI-H266 cells.