Long Noncoding RNA TOB1‐AS1 Represses Cervical Cancer Cell Proliferation, Invasion, and Migration via the MicroRNA‐27a‐3p/Thioredoxin‐Interacting Protein Molecular Axis

Cervical cancer (CC) remains a major global health concern, particularly due to its aggressive nature and limited treatment options in advanced stages. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) TOB1-AS1 has been proposed as a tumor suppressor, yet its regulatory mechanism in CC remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the role of TOB1-AS1 in CC progression through the miR-27a-3p/thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) molecular axis. Functional gain- and loss-of-function assays were conducted to assess the effects of TOB1-AS1, miR-27a-3p, and TXNIP on cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis. RT-qPCR, Western blotting, dual-luciferase reporter assays, and in vivo xenograft models were used to validate interactions and phenotypic outcomes. TOB1-AS1 was found to be downregulated in CC cells. Its overexpression suppressed proliferation, invasion, and migration, while enhancing apoptosis. Mechanistically, TOB1-AS1 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by sponging miR-27a-3p, thereby restoring TXNIP expression. Modulating miR-27a-3p or TXNIP levels partially reversed the effects of TOB1-AS1. In vivo, TOB1-AS1 overexpression significantly inhibited tumor growth and altered miR-27a-3p and TXNIP expression profiles. These findings suggest that lncRNA TOB1-AS1 acted as a ceRNA of miR-27a-3p to upregulate TXNIP, thereby suppressing CC cell proliferation, invasion and migration.