To study the expression of LncRNA TUG1 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC), and explore its function in the development of TSCC.

Fresh samples of TSCC tissues and corresponding adjacent normal tongue tissues were obtained from 19 cases, and the expressions of TUG1 were detected by Q-PCR. The expression of TUG1 in CAL27 cell line were down-regulated by siRNA technology, and the cell proliferation ability after transfection was analyzed by MTT assay. The expressions of iNOS gene were rated by Q-PCR.

Result of Q-PCR revealed the expressions of LncRNA TUG1 were up-regulated in TSCC tissues compared with the adjacent normal tongue tissues (P＜0.001). Cell proliferation ability was inhibited after down-regulation of TUG1 by siRNA technology, and the inhibition rates of 24/48/72 hour were 14.16%. 16.96% and 21.40% respectively. The relative expression of iNOS in blank/control/experimental groups were 1.000 ± 0.034, 0.974 ± 0.045 and 0.729 ± 0.039 respectively, and iNOS was down- regulated significantly in the experimental group (P = 0.002).

LncRNA TUG1 may have functions as a cancerogenic substance in TSCC via pormoting the expression of iNOS.