Scientists found that a molecule called MNX1-AS1, which is a type of long non‑coding RNA, is higher in bone cancer (osteosarcoma) tissue and helps the cancer cells grow and spread by keeping the KISS1 gene turned down. When they reduced MNX1-AS1, the cancer cells grew slower and KISS1 levels went up.

Recent studies revealed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in the progression and development of many human diseases. In this work, we are committed to uncovering the association between lncRNA MNX1-AS1 and the development of osteosarcoma. MNX1-AS1 expression of osteosarcoma cells and tissue samples was detected by Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). Besides, we conducted functional assays including cell proliferation assay, colony formation, and transwell assays. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism including RT-qPCR and Western blot assay was performed. MNX1-AS1 was higher-expressed in osteosarcoma samples than that in adjacent tissues. The abilities of proliferation and invasion were suppressed after MNX1-AS1 was knocked down in vitro. Moreover, KISS1 expression was upregulated at mRNA and protein level via silence of MNX1-AS1. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism of the development of osteosarcoma were investigated by RT-qPCR and Western blot assay. Our study demonstrated that MNX1-AS1 could enhance osteosarcoma cell proliferation and invasion by inhibiting KISS1, which might contribute to the therapy for osteosarcoma.