Knockdown of Long Noncoding RNA Small Nucleolar RNA Host Gene 12 Inhibits Cell Growth and Induces Apoptosis by...

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Oncology
• RNA Biology

Background:

• Small nucleolar RNA host gene 12 (SNHG12) is a long noncoding RNA implicated as an oncogene in various cancers.
• The specific role of SNHG12 in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) pathogenesis and its molecular targets remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of SNHG12 in NSCLC development.
• To elucidate the regulatory relationship between SNHG12 and miR-138 in NSCLC cells.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative real-time PCR to assess SNHG12 and miR-138 expression levels in NSCLC cells and normal lung epithelial cells.
• Western blotting to measure caspase-3 activity.
• Cell proliferation assays, colony formation assays, and apoptosis assays.
• In vivo studies using a NSCLC mouse xenograft model.

Main Results:

• SNHG12 was significantly upregulated, and miR-138 was downregulated in NSCLC cells compared to normal controls.
• SNHG12 directly binds to miR-138, negatively regulating its expression.
• Knockdown of SNHG12 suppressed NSCLC cell proliferation, colony formation, and induced apoptosis, evidenced by increased caspase-3 activity.
• Restoration of miR-138 partially reversed the effects of SNHG12 knockdown.
• In vivo, SNHG12 knockdown significantly reduced tumor volume and weight in the NSCLC mouse model.

Conclusions:

• SNHG12 acts as an oncogene in NSCLC by downregulating miR-138.
• Targeting SNHG12 represents a potential therapeutic strategy for NSCLC by inhibiting tumor growth and inducing apoptosis.