The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 22 (SNHG22) has been reported as a crucial regulator in several types of human cancer. The present study evaluated the function and mechanism of SNHG22 in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. SNHG22 expression was detected in colorectal adenoma, CRC tumor tissues (TTs) and adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANTs) using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The biological behaviors of SNHG22 in CRC cell lines were explored in vitro using Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry, wound scratch assay and Transwell assay, and in vivo using a nude mouse xenograft model. The interaction between SNHG22 and microRNA-128-3p (miR-128-3p), and the target genes of miR-128-3p were explored using online tools, RT-qPCR, western blotting and a dual-luciferase reporter assay. The present study revealed that SNHG22 expression was most highly expressed in TTs followed by adenoma tissues and ANTs. In addition, high SNHG22 expression levels were significantly associated with advanced clinicopathological factors and worse survival in patients with CRC. SNHG22 knockdown markedly inhibited CRC cell proliferation, apoptosis resistance, migration and invasion in vitro , and hindered tumor growth in vivo . The mechanistic study revealed that SNHG22 bound to miR-128-3p and attenuated its inhibitory effects on E2F transcription factor 3 (E2F3) expression levels and activity. Rescue experiments demonstrated that inhibiting miR-128-3p or upregulating E2F3 offset the effects of SNHG22 knockdown on CRC cells. The present findings support the existence of an interactive regulatory network involving SNHG22, miR-128-3p and E2F3 in CRC cell lines, indicating that the SNHG22/miR-128-3p/E2F3 axis may be considered a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target in CRC.
To investigate the RNA interference (RNAi) effect induced by vector-derived small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting the three gatekeeper genes (Rad52, Ku70, Ku80) and screen the more effective target sites from candidates for further research, by using siRNA design tools online, we selected 2 candidate sequences directed to every gatekeeper gene. According to the sequences, six vector-derived siRNAs (denoted psiRNA1-6) and one mocking psiRNA7 were constructed. Among them, psiRNA1 and psiRNA2 targeted Rad52, psiRNA3 and psiRNA4 to Ku70, psiRNA5 and psiRNA6 to Ku80. The mocking psiRNA7 was used as control. After sequence identification, the seven plasmids were transfected into HepG2 cell line. siRNA-induced silencing of gatekeeper genes was determined by using RT-PCR at RNA level and Western Blot at protein level. The results showed that the six plasmids specifically targeting the coding region of gatekeeper genes were successfully designed and constructed. To some extent, the six plasmids could reduce the expression of target gene. Comparatively, the plasmid-derived siRNA psiRNA1, psiRNA4 and psiRNA5 were more effective than their counterparts. The results suggest that the gene silencing efficiency of siRNA is different, depending on their targeted region, and siRNA may provide us with practical tools for further study on the three gatekeeper genes, i.e. Rad52, Ku70, Ku80.
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