Objective:To investigate the regulatory mechanism of long non-coding RNA-nuclear enriched transcript 1(lnc-NEAT1) on the proliferation,migration and invasion of melanoma(MM)cells. Methods:MM cell lines(A375,A875,M14,B16)and human epidermal melanocytes(HEMa - LP)were cultured in vitro,real -time quantitative PCR(RT - qPCR)was performed to determine the mRNA expression of lnc-NEAT1,microRNA-29c-3p(miR-29c-3p)and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4(CSPG4)in cells. B16 cells at logarithmic growth phase were taken and separated into control group,si-NC group,si-NEAT1 group,si-NEAT1+inhibitor-NC group, and si-NEAT1+miR-29c-3p inhibitor group. Lipofectamine 3000 was applied to transfect the corresponding plasmids into cells. RT-qPCR was performed to determine the transfection efficiency. MTT method was used to determine cell proliferation. Transwell assay was performed to determine cell migration and invasion abilities. Western blotting was performed to determine the expression of CSPG4 and proteins related to the proliferation,migration and invasion. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to determine miR-29c-3p targeting relationship with lnc-NEAT1 and CSPG4. Nude mice xenograft experiment was performed to explore the effect of lnc-NEAT1 knockdown on the growth of MM cells in vivo. Results:The mRNA levels of lnc-NEAT1 and CSPG4 in MM cell lines were obviously higher than those in HEMa-LP cells,and the levels of miR-29c-3p were obviously lower than those in HEMa-LP cells(all P < 0.05). Knockdown of lnc -NEAT1 obviously increased miR - 29c -3p expression,decreased CSPG4 mRNA and protein levels,inhibited cell proliferation,migration and invasion,and decreased Ki-67,N-cadherin and Vimentin protein levels as well as increased E-cadherin protein level(all P < 0.05). Down - regulation of miR -29c -3p expression obviously increased CSPG4 mRNA and protein levels,and attenuated the inhibitory effects of lnc-NEAT1 knockdown on MM cell proliferation,migration and invasion(P < 0.05). The results of dual-luciferase reporter gene assay showed that after the transfection of miR-29c-3p mimic,the luciferase activities of NEAT1-WT and CSPG4-WT in cells were obviously decreased(P < 0.05). Nude mouse xenograft experiments showed that knockdown of lnc -NEAT1 obviously inhibited the growth of xenografts in vivo,while inhibition of miR-29c-3p was able to obviously attenuate the inhibitory effect of lnc-NEAT1 knockdown on the growth of xenografts(all P < 0.05). Conclusion:Lnc-NEAT1 may promote the proliferation,migration and invasion of MM cells by regulating the miR-29c-3p/CSPG4 axis