Long non-coding RNA SNHG6 promotes glioma tumorigenesis by sponging miR-101-3p

Introduction: Glioma is the most common primary brain tumor. The small nucleolar RNA host gene (SNHG) SNHG6 is a potential oncogene in the development of several types of cancers. Methods: In this study, we investigated the functional role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG6 in the malignancy of glioma in cell lines and transplanted nude mice. Results: We found that the expression of lncRNA SNHG6 was higher in glioma tissues and cells than in normal brain tissues and cells. The expression of lncRNA SNHG6 was positively correlated with the malignancy and poor prognosis of glioma patients. microRNA (miR)-101-3p expression was decreased in glioma tissues and cells and was negatively correlated with the malignancy and poor prognosis of glioma patients. In glioma tissues, the expression of lncRNA SNHG6 was negatively correlated with the expression of miR-101-3p. SNHG6 contained a binding site of miR-101-3p. Knockdown of SNHG6 expression resulted in a significant increase of miR-101-3p expression. miR-101-3p mimic markedly decreased the luciferase activity of SNHG6. Knockdown of SNHG6 inhibited glioma cell proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and increased apoptosis. miR-101-3p mimic enhanced knockdown of SNHG6-induced inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and EMT, and an increase of apoptosis. Anti-miR-101-3p reversed the the effects of si-SNHG6 on cell malignancy. Knockdown of SNHG6 remarkably reduced the increase of tumor volumes in xenograft mouse models. In tumor tissues, knockdown of SNHG6 increased the expression of miR-101-3p and reduced EMT biomarker expression. Conclusions: Our study provides novel insights into the functions of lncRNA SNHG6/miR-101-3p axis in the tumorigenesis of glioma.