LncRNA SNHG20 and ROCK1 genes expression in patients with colorectal cancer, and effect of lncRNA SNHG20 suppression on ROCK1 expression and cell proliferation

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is known as the third most common cancer and cause of cancer death in the world. Previous studies have shown that lncRNA SNHG20 plays an important role in pathogenesis of multiple human malignancies. However, the role of SNHG20 in colorectal cancer has rarely been studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate expression of SNHG20 and ROCK1 genes in colorectal cancer patients and effect of SNHG20 suppression on ROCK1 gene expression and cell proliferation. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 25 tumor tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues were collected from colorectal cancer patients referred to medical centers affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis from sample tissue, expression of ROCK1 and SNHG20 genes were measured by Real-Time PCR. Next, HT29 colorectal cancer cells were cultured and transfected with different concentrations of anti-SNHG20 siRNA by electroporation. Then, effect of transfection on expression of ROCK1 and SNHG20 genes as well as apoptotic genes was investigated. Finally, MTT method was used to measure proliferation of transfected cancer cells. Results: The expression of SNHG20 in colorectal cancer tissues significantly increased compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues; while ROCK1 gene expression in colorectal cancer tissues significantly decreased compared to non-cancerous adjacent tissues. After transfection of anti-SNHG20 siRNA into cancer cells, expression of SNHG20 gene decreased significantly; While expression of ROCK1 gene increased significantly. Also, expression of pre-apoptotic genes increased significantly in transfected cancer cells; While expression of anti-apoptotic gene decreased significantly in transfected cancer cells. Investigation of cell survival showed that suppressing expression of SNHG20 gene reduces survival of colorectal cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner.