Identification of snoRNA SNORA71A as a Novel Biomarker in Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Background. Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) have been proved to play important roles in various cellular physiological process. Recently, dysregulation of snoRNA SNORA71A has been found involved in tumorigenesis of various malignant cancers. However, the emerging effects of SNORA71A in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore the SNORA71A expression and its underlying significance in HCC. Methods. Expression of SNORA71A in cell lines and clinical specimens was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Then, all enrolled HCC patients were divided into low and high SNORA71A expression subgroups and then they were compared in the aspects of clinical features as well as survival outcome by respective statistical analysis methods. Results. SNORA71A was significantly downexpressed in SK-HEP-1 (P=0.001), Huh-7 (P<0.001), Hep3B (P<0.001), and clinical HCC specimens (P=0.006). Comparing the clinical features between SNORA71A expression subgroups, it showed that low SNORA71A expression was significantly associated with large tumor diameter, multiple lesions, capsular invasion, bad tumor differentiation, and TNM stage (P<0.05). Furthermore, it was found that HCC patients with lower SNORA71A expression had higher risk in postoperative tumor relapse (median time: 9.5 vs. 35.2 months; low vs. high; P<0.001) and poor overall survival (median time: 36.8 vs. 52.9 months; low vs. high; P<0.001). Besides, SNORA71A expression served as independent risk factors for tumor-free (HR=0.450; 95% CI [0.263-0.770]; P=0.004) and long-term survival (HR=0.289; 95% CI [0.127-0.657]; P=0.003). Conclusions. Our study for the first time demonstrated that downregulation of SNORA71A could serve as a novel biomarker for clinical assessment and prognostic prediction of HCC patients.

Glioma glycolipid metabolism: MSI2–SNORD12B–FIP1L1–ZBTB4 feedback loop as a potential treatment target

“…Recent studies have highlighted the potential role of snoRNAs in regulating tumorigenesis and the energy metabolism of cancer cells. SNORA71A is significantly upregulated in colorectal cancer and liver cancer cells and accelerates the ability of tumor cells in proliferation, migration, and invasion 37,38 . SNORA37 regulates cancer cell lipid synthesis by mediating histone modification 39 .…”

“…SNORA71A is significantly upregulated in colorectal cancer and liver cancer cells and accelerates the ability of tumor cells in proliferation, migration, and invasion. 37,38 SNORA37 regulates cancer cell lipid synthesis by mediating histone modification. 39 SnoRNA Rpl13a is closely related to cell mitochondrial energy metabolism and glucose metabolism.…”

RRP9 Promotes Gemcitabine Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer Via Activating AKT Signaling Pathway

“…Thus, our data illustrate an essential function for RRP9 to promote gemcitabine resistance, and indicate that targeting RRP9 through AKT could propose a new therapeutic strategy to sensitize PC cells to gemcitabine. snoRNAs, responsible for post-transcriptional modi cations of rRNAs during rRNA biogenesis, have been identi ed as potential biomarkers of various cancers including SNORA71A in HCC [37] and CRC [38], and SNORA23 in PDAC [19]. Here, we found signi cantly elevated expression of the U3 snoRNA-associated protein, RRP9/U3-55K, in human pancreatic tissues and PC cell lines.…”

SnoRNA and lncSNHG: Advances of nucleolar small RNA host gene transcripts in anti-tumor immunity

“…found 7 snoRNAs (SNORD59A, SNORD63B, SNORD100, SNORD99, SNORD63, SNORD12C, SNORD19) were reduced in tumors and were significantly increased in immune cells, these snoRNAs were identified as tumor immune infiltration-associated snoRNAs and can predict prognosis and immune landscape in patients with colon cancer ( 18 ). In addition to the signature of snoRNAs, single plasma snoRNAs such as SNORA71A, SNORD33 are also reported to serve as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers for cancer ( 92 , 93 ). Extracellular vesicles containing SNORA71E and SNORD115-6 can represent biomarkers for the prediction of the response of breast cancer patients to neoadjuvant chemotherapy ( 94 ).…”