lncRNA SNHG20 promotes prostate cancer migration and invasion via targeting the miR-6516-5p/SCGB2A1 axis.

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated the vital roles of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in prostate cancer (PCa). However, the function of small nucleolar RNA host gene 20 (SNHG20) in PCa is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the expression and biological roles of SNHG20 in PCa. SNHG20 expression in PCa tissues and cell lines was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Gain and loss-of-function experiments were conducted to examine the biological roles of SNHG20. Bioinformatic analysis and dual luciferase activity reporter assay were conducted to establish the SNHG20/secretoglobin family 2A member 1 (SCGB2A1)/microRNA-6516-5p (miR-6516-5p) axis. SHNG20 expression was found markedly elevated in PCa tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of SNHG20 increased PCa cell proliferation and invasion but decreased cell apoptosis. However, the knockdown of SNHG20 will cause the opposite effects on PCa cell behaviors. Mechanical investigation found that SNHG20 could relive the SCGB2A1 protein expression via sponging the miR-6516-5p, acting as miRNA sponge. In conclusion, this finding suggests the SNHG20/miR-6516-5p/SCGB2A1 axis in PCa tumorigenesis, providing the novel insight for the molecular mechanism of PCa.