Abstract
BackgroundLong noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been suggested to be involved in the development and progression of malignancies. However, the investigation of small nucleolar RNA host gene 20 (SNHG20) on cancer progression remains unknown. The present study aims to explore the clinical significance of SNHG20 and its potential molecular mechanism in colorectal cancer (CRC).MethodsQuantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to measure the SNHG20 expression in a total of 107 CRC tissues and CRC cell lines. Loss of function approach was employed to explore the biological roles of SNHG20 in vitro. Its potential molecular mechanism was further verified by western blotting and qRT-PCR.ResultsThe results suggested that SNHG20 expression was significantly upregulated in CRC tissues compared to corresponding normal tissues from 107 CRC patients. High expression of SNHG20 was remarkably associated with advanced TNM stage in patients with CRC. Multivariate analyses unraveled that SNHG20 expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in CRC patients. Further functional assays revealed that knockdown of SNHG20 suppressed cell proliferation, invasion and migration, and cell cycle progression in CRC cells. Moreover, SNHG20 regulated cell growth through modulation of a series of cell cycle-associated genes.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that dysregulation of SNHG20 participates in CRC progression and may serve as a potential therapeutic target in CRC patients.
Highlights
Long noncoding RNAs have been suggested to be involved in the development and progression of malignancies
LncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 20 (SNHG20) is up-regulated in human colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues and cell lines To know the expression manner of SNHG20, we measured the expression of SNHG20 in 107 pairs of CRC and corresponding normal tissues by Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR)
The results indicated that SNHG20 expression in tumor tissues was markedly higher than that in adjacent non-tumor tissues (P < 0.001, Fig. 1a)
Summary
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been suggested to be involved in the development and progression of malignancies. The investigation of small nucleolar RNA host gene 20 (SNHG20) on cancer progression remains unknown. The present study aims to explore the clinical significance of SNHG20 and its potential molecular mechanism in colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC is becoming as one of the most common malignancies and the fifth major cause of cancer-associated deaths in China [2]. Despite improvements achieved in surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapies, the 5-year survival rate of CRC patients remains unsatisfied [4]. The 5year survival rate of patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases is > 40 % but < 10 % in those with unresectable colorectal liver metastases [5]. Local and systemic metastases are the major causes for unsatisfactory outcomes of CRC patients. Identification of effective carcinogenesisassociated molecular biomarkers that significantly unravel the clinical characteristics and implications of CRC is an important purpose of CRC investigation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
