Long non-coding RNA SNHG6 promotes tumorigenesis in melanoma cells via the microRNA-101-3p/RAP2B axis

Numerous studies have reported that the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 6 (SNHG6; ENSG00000245910) participates in the development of malignant tumors. However, the underlying mechanism of SNHG6 in the development of melanoma remains unknown. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the biological role of SNHG6 in the progression of melanoma. SNHG6 expression in melanoma tissues and cells was assessed using a bioinformatics approach and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis. Cell viability was determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays. The correlation between microRNA (miR)-101-3p, SNHG6 and RAP2B expression levels was assessed using Pearson's correlation analysis. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assay were utilized to confirm the interaction between miR-101-3p and SNHG6 or RAP2B. The Transwell assay was conducted to examine the migratory and invasive activities of melanoma cells. In the present study, SNHG6 expression was upregulated in melanoma tissues and cell lines, and SNHG6 silencing suppressed melanoma cell viability, migration and invasion. SNHG6 was directly bound to miR-101-3p, which interacted with RAP2B. In addition, miR-101-3p expression was negatively correlated with SNHG6 or RAP2B expression. miR-101-3p silencing partially abrogated the suppressive effect of SNHG6-knockdown on RAP2B expression. Moreover, the data demonstrated that RAP2B overexpression reversed the inhibitory effects on melanoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion induced by SNHG6 silencing. In conclusion, the present study identified that SNHG6 accelerated melanoma progression via regulating the miR-101-3p/RAP2B axis. Thus, the SNHG6/miR-101-3p/RAP2B signaling pathway may be a novel therapeutic target for melanoma.