Long Noncoding RNA SNHG1 Contributes to the Promotion of Prostate Cancer Cells Through Regulating miR-377-3p/AKT2 Axis

Background: Long noncoding RNAs could serve as a candidate target for prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis and treatment. The current study aimed to investigate the role and functions of SNHG1 in PCa cells. Materials and Methods: Abnormal expression of SNHG1, survival analysis, and target gene were determined or predicted by bioinformatics techniques. Gene expressions at transcriptional and translational levels were determined by Quantitative Real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Cell viability, growth, and apoptosis rate were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation assay and flow cytometry. Results: The results showed that SNHG1 was highly expressed in PCa tissues, which was accompanied by decreased miR-377-3p expression and poor overall survival rate, and that miR-377-3p was predicted as the target of SNHG1 in PCa cells. Moreover, SNHG1 counteracted the effects of miR-377-3p on inhibiting cell growth and promoting apoptosis of PCa cells. Furthermore, miR-377-3p counteracted the effects of AKT2 on promoting cell viability, growth, and suppressing apoptosis of PCa cells. In addition, AKT2 expression was proved to be regulated by miR-377-3p. Conclusions: The SNHG1/miR-377-3p/AKT2 regulatory axis in PCa cells was disclosed. The upregulated AKT2 might be a result of dysregulated interaction balance between the expressions of miR-377-3p and SNHG1. Based on such discoveries, the intervention of SNHG1/miR-377-3p/AKT2 axis could be further explored in the treatment of PCa.