Expression and Regulatory Network Analysis of Function of Small Nucleolar RNA Host Gene 4 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Long non-coding RNA small nucleolar RNA host genes (SNHGs) play a critical role in the occurrence and development of tumors. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its underlining mechanism.

METHODS

Datasets were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. lncLocator 2.0 was used to identify the distribution of in HCC cells. Gene expression, Kaplan-Meier survival, microRNA and transcription factor target analyses were performed with the University of Alabama Cancer (UALCAN) Database, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, LinkedOmics, WebGestalt and gene set enrichment analysis, respectively. Gene Ontology and pathway enrichment analyses and assessment of RNA binding proteins were performed by R software, circlncRNAnet and Encyclopedia of RNA Interactomes (ENCORI). In addition, CirclncRNAnet and ENCORI were used to find the correlation between and important proteins, while the prognostic value was assessed with the Human Protein Atlas database and Kaplan-Meier Plotter.

RESULTS

Expression of in HCC is higher in HCC tissue than in normal healthy liver tissues and is mainly distributed in the nucleus. positively correlated with poor prognosis (<0.01 for overall survival and recurrence-free survival). Functional enrichment analysis revealed involvement with regulation of ribosomal RNA synthesis and the RNA processing and surveillance pathway. is closely associated with miR-154 and miR-206, transcription factor target E2F family and the signaling pathway for MAPK/ERK and mTOR. U2 auxiliary factor 2 (U2AF2) showed strong correlation with , while low-expression of U2AF2 showed good prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our findings, we infer may play a role in the formation of HCC via regulation of tumor-related pathways.