SNHG1 knockdown upregulates miR-376a and downregulates FOXK1/Snail axis to prevent tumor growth and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRs) and genes are emerging players in cancer progression. In the present study, we explored the roles and interactions of oncogenic lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1), miR-376, forkhead box protein K1 (FOXK1), and Snail in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Expression of SNHG1, miR-376, and FOXK1 in HCC was characterized in clinical HCC tissues of 75 patients with HCC. The interactions between SNHG1 and miR-376, and between miR-376 and FOXK1 were predicted and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter gene and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Overexpression and knockdown experiments were performed in HCC cells to examine the effects of SNHG1/miR-376/FOXK1/Snail axis on viability, apoptosis, invasiveness, and migrating abilities. Their effects on tumor growth and metastasis were validated in nude mouse models. SNHG1 and FOXK1 were upregulated and miR-376a was downregulated in HCC. SNHG1 knockdown contributed to suppression of HCC cell viability, invasion, and migration properties and promotion of apoptosis. SNHG1 could competitively bind to miR-376a to upregulate its target gene FOXK1, which upregulated Snail. SNHG1 knockdown delayed cancer progression both in vitro and in vivo by upregulating miR-376a and downregulating FOXK1 and Snail. SNHG1 knockdown exerts anti-tumor activity in HCC, suggesting a therapeutic target.