A Notch 1-regulated lncRNA , AK 022798 , contributes to the baicalein-induced apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most universal carcinomas in the world, especially in Asia. Although baicalein has been used as an anticancer reagent in HCC, the further molecular mechanism is nonelucidated. In this study, we provide the mechanistic link between baicalein and its anticancer activity. Primarily, baicalein inhibits the cell proliferation and induces apoptosis. During this process, seven vital cancer-related genes show differential alteration in which Notch1 presents a lowest expression. We subsequently screened out Notch1regulated long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) AK022798 which is a central downstream target of baicalein. Consistently, we demonstrate that expression of AK022798 positively correlate with anticancer action of baicalein. Collectively, we have identified a potential mechanism by which AK022798 regulated by Notch1 signaling contributes to the baicalein-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cell. These findings also give evidence of the feasibility of lncRNA as potential downstream targets for therapeutic intervention in HCC. Kewords: HCC, baicalein, Notch1, lncRNA, AK022798