The Long Non-Coding RNA SNHG16 Promotes NPC Cell Progression by Competitively Binding miR-23b-3p

Abstract Background: This study aims at verifying the effect of non-coding RNA SNHG16 on promotes NPC cell progression via binding miR-23b-3p.Methods: The expression of non-coding RNA SNHG16 was detected by qRT-PCR in cell lines including c666-1 and HONE-1. Si-MCM6 and si-SNHG16 are transfected to cells to verify their effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis. MTT is used to measure cell viability while flow cytometry assay and transwell assay were used for cell apoptosis, cell cycle and invasion respectively. The expression level of MCM6 was determined by western blot. Relationships between mRNA MCM6 and lncRNA SNHG16 were explored by qRT-PCR and nude mouse tumorigenicity assay.Results: The MCM6 was overexpressed in NPC tissues and lncRNA SNHG16 showed the same trend. Those two factors were correlated with high cancer stage. The expression of MCM6 was decreased after si-SNHG16 and dual luciferase reporter system demonstrated their combine with miR-23b-3p. Further we explored the down-regulation of lncRNA SNHG16 could inhibit NPC cell proliferation, colony formation and also accelerate cell apoptosis rate. And this result could be altered by adding miR-23b-3p inhibitor.Conclusion: The lncRNA SNHG16 is able to promote the NPC proliferation via binding miR-23b-3p, which has potential for future treatment.