Long non‑coding RNA JPX promotes gastric cancer progression by regulating CXCR6 and autophagy via inhibiting miR‑197.

Long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve a crucial role in gastric cancer (GC) progression. However, the molecular mechanism underlying lncRNA JPX transcript, XIST activator (JPX) in the tumorigenesis of GC is not completely understood. Reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR (RT‑qPCR) and western blotting were performed to detect gene expression. A luciferase reporter gene assay was conducted to determine the relationship between microRNA (miR)‑197 and JPX or C‑X‑C motif chemokine receptor 6 (CXCR6). Cell viability, migration and invasion were determined by performing MTT, wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. The Cancer Genome Atlas database and the RT‑qPCR results indicated that JPX expression was upregulated and miR‑197 expression was downregulated in patients with GC and in GC cells. Moreover, high JPX expression and low miR‑197 expression in patients with GC indicated poor prognosis. miR‑197 expression was directly inhibited by JPX. Compared with the short hairpin RNA (sh) negative control (NC) group, NCI‑N87 and MKN‑45 cells in the shJPX group displayed decreased cell viability and invasion, as well as a wider scratch width. NCI‑N87 and MKN‑45 cells in the shJPX + miR‑197 inhibitor group had increased viability and invasion, but a narrower scratch width compared with the shJPX group. It was also identified that miR‑197 directly inhibited CXCR6 expression. miR‑197 inhibited Beclin1 protein expression and promoted p62 protein expression. Compared with the NC group, NCI‑N87 and MKN‑45 cells in the miR‑197 mimic group had decreased cell viability and invasion, and a wider scratch width. Enhanced cell viability and invasion, and a narrower scratch width was also observed in the miR‑197 mimic + CXCR6 and miR‑197 mimic + Beclin1 groups, compared with the miR‑197 mimic group. Collectively, the results indicated that lncRNA JPX promoted GC progression by regulating CXCR6 and autophagy via inhibiting miR‑197. Furthermore, JPX knockdown regulated GC cell phenotype by promoting miR‑197.