Long noncoding RNA SNHG6 promotes oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma by downregulating the miR-101-3p/EZH2 pathway.

Abstract

Long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) have been reported to play a vital role in the development of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Our previous study revealed that the significant upregulation of the LncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 6 (SNHG6) in OSCC promotes OSCC tumourigenesis. However, the mechanisms underlying the dynamics of SNHG6 expression in OSCC have rarely been studied. In this study, we verified the tumour-promoting effect of SNHG6 through sponging miR-101-3p, and their levels were negatively correlated in human samples of OSCC. In addition, miR-101-3p overexpression reversed the effect of SNHG6. Moreover, we confirmed that SNHG6/miR-101-3p affects OSCC by regulating the expression of the enhancer of zeste 2 (EZH2). The effect of EZH2 silencing resembled closely that of SNHG6 knockdown. EZH2 silencing inhibited the expression of protein cyclin D1 and β-catenin, but in contrast, it enhanced the expression of E-cadherin. These findings demonstrated the oncogenic role of SNHG6, which promotes OSCC progression by regulating the expression of EZH2 through its interaction with miR-101-3p. These findings may help in improving the diagnosis and treatment methods of OSCC.