Abstract
BackgroundOvarian cancer (OC) is characterized by early metastasis and poor prognosis, which threatens the health of women worldwide. Small nucleolar RNA host gene 20 (SNHG20), a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), has been verified to be significantly up-regulated in several tumors, including OC. MicroRNA-148a (miR-148a)/rho-kinase1 (ROCK1) axis plays an important role in the modulation of tumor development. However, whether SNHG20 can regulate OC progression through miR-148a/ROCK1 axis remains unclear. Normal human ovarian epithelial cell line and four OC cell lines were adopted for in vitro experiments. Real-time PCR was performed to assess the levels of SNHG20 and miR-148a. OC cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration were detected using clone formation, flow cytometry, transwell, and wound healing assays, respectively. Tumor xenograft assay was applied to evaluate the effect of SNHG20 on tumor growth in vivo.ResultsSignificant higher expression of SNHG20 was observed in OC cell lines. SNHG20 markedly promoted the invasion, migration, proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis of OC cells. SNHG20 enhanced ROCK1 expression by sponging miR-148a, and the direct binding between SNHG20/ROCK1 and miR-148a was identified.ConclusionSNHG20 promoted invasion and migration of OC via targeting miR-148a/ROCK1 axis. The present research may provide a novel insight for the therapeutic strategies of OC.
Highlights
Ovarian cancer (OC) is characterized by early metastasis and poor prognosis, which threatens the health of women worldwide
Long non-coding RNAs without protein-coding capacity play a key role in several biological processes through sponging microRNAs [9,10,11]
Yang and Dong Journal of Ovarian Research (2021) 14:168 report indicated that small nucleolar RNA host gene 20 (SNHG20) was closely correlated with the development of ovarian cancer [6]
Summary
Ovarian cancer (OC) is characterized by early metastasis and poor prognosis, which threatens the health of women worldwide. MicroRNA-148a (miR-148a)/rho-kinase (ROCK1) axis plays an important role in the modulation of tumor development. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) without protein-coding capacity play a key role in several biological processes through sponging microRNAs (miRNAs) [9,10,11]. It was reported that some lncRNAs could regulate ovarian cancer progression by regulating miRNAs [12, 13]. Yang and Dong Journal of Ovarian Research (2021) 14:168 report indicated that small nucleolar RNA host gene 20 (SNHG20) was closely correlated with the development of ovarian cancer [6]. SNHG20 could promote colorectal cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion via miR-495/STAT3 axis [15]. SNHG20 facilitated proliferation, invasion and inhibited apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma cells via sponging miR342 to upregulate DDX49 [16]. The regulatory role and its related mechanism of SNHG20 in OC need to be further explored
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
