The long noncoding RNA KIAA0125 is upregulated in ameloblastomas

Ameloblastoma and adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) are jaw tumors derived from the teeth forming apparatus. While ameloblastoma is a destructive, debilitating lesion, with conventional surgical treatment leading to facial deformity and morbodities, AOT shows indolent clinical behavior. The underlying molecular mechanisms associated with their biological behavior are unknown. The use of high-density whole-genome microarray analysis in ameloblastomas and AOT revealed high frequency of genomic gain at 14q32.33, which encompasses the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) gene KIAA0125. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the expression profile of KIAA0125 in these tumors. Thirteen samples were included (five solid/multicystic ameloblastomas, four AOT, and four dental follicles). The relative quantification of KIAA0125 expression was obtained by qPCR and interactions of KIAA0125 were in silico predicted. We detected higher levels of KIAA0125 transcripts in the ameloblastoma group compared to dental follicles (p = 0.042). The expression levels of KIAA0125 in AOT were not different from that of dental follicles. KIAA0125 was predicted to interact with 41 miRNA families. Four miRNAs of these families have been previously reported differentially expressed in ameloblastoma, being miR-135a-5p, miR-204-5p and miR-205-5p upregulated, and miR-150-5p downregulated. The lncRNA KIAA0125 is likely involved in the ameloblastoma pathobiology. LncRNAs hold strong promise as therapeutic targets and experimental validation of this lncRNA functions may lead to tailored therapies targeting KIAA0125 in extensive and recurrent ameloblastoma cases.