SNHG16 promotes cell proliferation and inhibits cell apoptosis via regulation of the miR-1303p/STARD9 axis in renal cell carcinoma

Abstract Background Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a fatal malignant tumor with high morbidity. Numerous medical studies have suggested that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert their biological function on various cancerous progresses. Herein, functions of lncRNA SNHG16 in RCC cells and the mechanism medicated by SNHG16 were investigated. Methods The expression levels of SNHG16 and its downstream genes in RCC cells and tissues were examined utilizing reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses. Cell counting kit-8 and 5-Ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine assays were carried out to evaluate the proliferation of RCC cells, and flow cytometry analyses were employed to determine the apoptosis of RCC cells. Western blot analysis was applied to examine protein levels associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis. The combination between SNHG16 and miRNA as well as miRNA and its target gene were explored by luciferase reporter, RNA pull down, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Results The significant upregulation of SNHG16 was observed in RCC tissues and cells. SNHG16 downregulation inhibited the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of RCC cells. In addition, SNHG16 served as a competing endogenous RNA for miR-1301-3p, and STARD9 was a target gene of miR-1301-3p in RCC cells. SNHG16 upregulated STARD9 expression by binding with miR-1301-3p in RCC cells. Rescue assays validated that SNHG16 promoted RCC cell promotion and induced RCC cell apoptosis by upregulating STARD9 expression. Conclusions SNHG16 promotes RCC cell proliferation and suppresses RCC cell apoptosis via interaction with miR-1301-3p to upregulate STARD9 expression in RCC cells.