lncRNA SNHG14 involved in trophoblast cell proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial–mesenchymal transition by targeting miR-330-5p in preeclampsia

Flow Cytometric Analysis ◽

Neonatal Morbidity ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Reporter Assay ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Flow Cytometric

Summary Preeclampsia (PE), a pregnancy-specific disease, has become one of the leading causes of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Pathogenesis of PE has still not been fully addressed and there is a great need to develop early diagnosis markers and effective therapy. This study aimed to determine if lncRNA SNHG14 has a protective effect on placental trophoblast and prevents PE. SNHG14 levels in the peripheral blood from patients with PE or from women with healthy pregnancies were detected using RT-qPCR. The relationship between SNHG14 and miR-330-5p was determined using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. In addition, cell proliferation and cell cycle were evaluated by performing CCK8 assays and flow-cytometric analysis, respectively. Wound-healing and transwell assays were performed to assess cell migration and invasion ability. lncRNA SNHG14 was downregulated in PE patients; it was involved in trophoblast proliferation and regulated cell proliferation during G1/S transition. In addition, lncRNA SNHG14 promoted migration, invasion and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HTR-8/SVneo cells. Luciferase reporter assay indicated that lncRNA SNHG14 served as a molecular sponge for miR-330-5p and negatively regulated miR-330-5p expression in PE. Furthermore, the effects of silenced SNHG14 on trophoblast proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT were reversed by addition of miR-330-5p inhibitor, suggesting that in PE lncRNA SNHG14 functions by competitively binding to miR-330-5p. Taken together, the current study demonstrated that in PE lncRNA SNHG14 is a vital regulator by binding to miR-330-5p. SNHG14 might serve as a therapeutic application in PE progression.

miR-18a-5p promotes NPC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT by targeting SMAD2

10.21203/rs.3.rs-36707/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Pengcheng Li ◽

Junhui Xing ◽

Jianwu Jiang ◽

Xinyu Tian ◽

Xuemeng Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Reporter Assay ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Metastasis Model ◽

Abstract Background Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most common malignant tumor in the head and neck that is characterized by high local malignant invasion and distant metastasis. miR-18a-5p reportedly plays an important role in tumorigenesis and development. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying miR-18a-5p’s role in NPC. Methods Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-18a-5p in NPC tissues and cell lines. MTT assay and plate clone formation assay were used to detect the effect of miR-18a-5p on NPC cell proliferation. Wound healing assays and Transwell assays were used to detect the effect of miR-18a-5p on NPC cell invasion and migration. The expressions of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins N-cadherin, Vimentin, and E-cadherin were detected by Western blot. Bioinformatics and dual-luciferase reporter assay were used to detect the targeting interaction between miR-18a-5p and SMAD2. Xenotransplantation and metastasis model were used to detect the effect of miR-18a-5p on NPC growth and metastasis in vivo. Results miR-18a-5p was highly expressed in NPC tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-18a-5p promoted NPC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT process, whereas inhibition of miR-18a-5p expression led to the opposite results. Results of dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that SMAD2 was the target gene of miR-18a-5p, and SMAD2 could reverse the effect of miR-18a-5p on NPC cell line. Xenotransplantation and metastasis model experiments in nude mice showed that miR-18a-5p promotes NPC growth and metastasis in vivo. Conclusions Targeting SMAD2 downregulated miR-18a-5p expression, thereby promoting NPC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT.

Long non-coding RNA FOXD2-AS1 promotes cell proliferation, metastasis and EMT in glioma by sponging miR-506-5p

Open Medicine ◽

10.1515/med-2020-0175 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 921-931

Author(s):

Juan Zhao ◽

Xue-Bin Zeng ◽

Hong-Yan Zhang ◽

Jie-Wei Xiang ◽

Yu-Song Liu

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Human Cancer ◽

Glioma Cells ◽

Suppressor Gene ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Non Coding Rna ◽

Long Non Coding Rna

AbstractLong non-coding RNA forkhead box D2 adjacent opposite strand RNA 1 (FOXD2-AS1) has emerged as a potential oncogene in several tumors. However, its biological function and potential regulatory mechanism in glioma have not been fully investigated to date. In the present study, RT-qPCR was conducted to detect the levels of FOXD2-AS1 and microRNA (miR)-506-5p, and western blot assays were performed to measure the expression of CDK2, cyclinE1, P21, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)7, MMP9, N-cadherin, E-cadherin and vimentin in glioma cells. A luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify the direct targeting of miR-506-5p by FOXD2-AS1. Subsequently, cell viability was analyzed using the CCK-8 assay. Cell migration and invasion were analyzed using Transwell and wound healing assays, respectively. The results demonstrated that FOXD2-AS1 was significantly overexpressed in glioma cells, particularly in U251 cells. Knockdown of FOXD2-AS1 in glioma cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and regulated the expression of CDK2, cyclinE1, P21, MMP7 and MMP9. Next, a possible mechanism for these results was explored, and it was observed that FOXD2-AS1 binds to and negatively regulates miR-506-5p, which is known to be a tumor-suppressor gene in certain human cancer types. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-506-5p significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT, and these effects could be reversed by transfecting FOXD2-AS1 into the cells. In conclusion, our data suggested that FOXD2-AS1 contributed to glioma proliferation, metastasis and EMT via competitively binding to miR-506-5p. FOXD2-AS1 may be a promising target for therapy in patients with glioma.

lncRNA NEAT1 Inhibits Proliferation, Invasion and Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition of Gastric Cancer Cells by Regulating MiR-129-5p/PBX3 Axis

10.21203/rs.2.22341/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hanshu Ji ◽

Xiaoyu Zhang

Keyword(s):

Gastric Cancer ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Reporter Assay ◽

Gastric Cancer Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Lncrna Neat1 ◽

Abstract Purpose: lncRNA NEAT1 has been reported as a tumor-promoting gene in a variety of tumors, but few studies have explored its role and mechanism in gastric cancer. In the face of increasing incidence of gastric cancer, how to improve the diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic effect of gastric cancer is a major clinical problem. Therefore, we studied the effect and mechanism of lncRNA NEAT1 on the proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of gastric cancer cells. To inquiry into the effect of lncRNA NEAT1 on the proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of gastric cancer (GC) cells by regulating miR-129-5p/PBX3 axis. Methods: Totally 63 GC diagnosed and treated in our hospital were selected as the study subjects, whose paired GC tissues and pericarcinomatous tissues were collected as the study specimens after obtaining their consent. QRT-PCR was employed to detect the NEAT1 expression in tissues and cells to analyze the relationship between NEAT1 and clinicopathological data of GC patients. In addition, stable and transient overexpression and inhibition vectors were established and transfected into GC cells HCG-27 and MKN-45. CCK-8, traswell, and flow cytometry were employed to evaluate the proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of transfected cells. The correlation of miR-129-5p between PBX3 and NEAT1 was assessed using dual luciferase reporter assay, while that between NEAT1 and miR-129-5p was assessed by RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) . Western blot was applied for the detection of apoptosis and EMT related proteins.Results: NEAT1 was overexpressed in GC patients and had a high diagnostic value. The expression of NEAT1 was related to the pathological stage, differentiation degree, tumor size and lymph node metastasis of patients with GC. Down-regulated NEAT1 brought decreased cell proliferation, invasion and EMT, and increased apoptosis. According to dual luciferase reporter assay, NEAT1 could target miR-129-5p, while in turn miR-129-5p could target PBX3. Functional analysis exhibited that miR-129-5p overexpression inhibited PBX3 in GC cells, affecting cell proliferation, invasion, EMT and apoptosis, and rescue experiments demonstrated that these effects were eliminated by up-regulating NEAT1 expression.Conclusion: Inhibition of NEAT1 could mediate miR-129-5p/PBX3 axis to promote apoptosis of GC cells, and reduce cell proliferation, invasion and EMT.

lncRNA TUG1-Mediated Mir-142-3p Downregulation Contributes to Metastasis and the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Targeting ZEB1

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry ◽

10.1159/000492517 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 48 (5) ◽

pp. 1928-1941 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Chuan He ◽

Zhigang Liu ◽

Li Jin ◽

Fang Zhang ◽

Xinhao Peng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Cell Migration ◽

Noncoding Rna ◽

Tumor Formation ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Mesenchymal Transition

Background/Aims: MicroRNA-142-3p (miR-142-3p) is dysregulated in many malignancies and may function as a tumor suppressor or oncogene in tumorigenesis and tumor development. However, few studies have investigated the clinical significance and biological function of miR-142-3p in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: The expression levels of taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1), miR-142-3p, and zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) were evaluated in HCC tissues and cell lines by quantitative real-time PCR. MTT and colony formation assays were used to detect cell proliferation ability, transwell assays were used to assess cell migration and invasion, and luciferase reporter assays were used to examine the interaction between the long noncoding RNA TUG1 and miR-142-3p. Tumor formation was evaluated through in vivo experiments. Results: miR-142-3p was significantly downregulated in HCC tissues, but TUG1 was upregulated in HCC tissues. Knockdown of TUG1 and upregulation of miR-142-3p inhibited cell proliferation, cell migration, cell invasion, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). miR-142-3p was found to be a prognostic factor of HCC, and the mechanism by which TUG1 upregulated ZEB1 was via direct binding to miR-142-3p. In vivo assays showed that TUG1 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation and the EMT in nude mice. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the TUG1/miR-142-3p/ ZEB1 axis contributes to the formation of malignant behaviors in HCC.

FENDRR Sponges miR-424-5p to Inhibit Cell Proliferation, Migration and Invasion in Colorectal Cancer

Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment ◽

10.1177/1533033820980102 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 ◽

pp. 153303382098010

Author(s):

Chuan Cheng ◽

Huixia Li ◽

Jiujian Zheng ◽

Jie Xu ◽

Peng Gao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Reporter Assay ◽

Differential Analysis ◽

Inhibit Cell Proliferation ◽

Objective: LncRNAs are non-coding RNAs exerting vital roles in the occurrence and development of various cancer types. This study tended to describe the expression pattern of FENDRR in colorectal cancer (CRC), and further investigate the role of FENDRR in CRC cell biological behaviors. Methods: Gene expression profile of colon cancer was accessed from the TCGA database, and then processed for differential analysis for identification of differentially expressed lncRNAs and miRNAs. Some in vitro experiments like qRT-PCR, MTT, colony formation assay, wound healing assay and Transwell assay were performed to assess the effect of FENDRR on cell biological behaviors. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was conducted to further validate the targeting relationship between FENDRR and miR-424-5p, and rescue experiments were carried out for determining the mechanism of FENDRR/miR-424-5p underlying the proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC cells. Results: Bioinformatics analysis suggested that FENDRR was significantly down-regulated in CRC tissue, and low FENDRR was intimately correlated to poor prognosis. FENDRR overexpression could greatly inhibit cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Besides, there was a negative correlation between FENDRR and miR-424-5p. Dual-luciferase reporter assay indicated that miR-424-5p was a direct target of FENDRR. Rescue experiments discovered that FENDRR exerted its role in cell proliferation, migration and invasion in CRC via targeting miR-424-5p. Conclusion: FENDRR is poorly expressed in CRC tissue and cells, and low FENDRR is responsible for the inhibition of cell proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC by means of targeting miR-424-5p.

LncRNA ZFPM2-AS1 Promotes Metastasis and Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Targeting miR-3612/ADAM15 Axis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-42530/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nan Yang ◽

Tianxiang Chen ◽

Bowen Yao ◽

Liang Wang ◽

Runkun Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Reporter Assay ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Hcc Cells

Abstract Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have obtained growing attention due to their potential effects as novel regulators in various tumors. This study aimed to investigate the expression and roles of lncRNA ZFPM2-AS1 in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Transwell was used to determine migration and invasion of HCC cells in vitro. The lung metastasis mouse model was established to detect tumor metastasis of HCC in vivo. The direct binding of miR-3612 to 3'UTR of DAM15 was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. The expression of ZFPM2-AS1 and miR-3612 in HCC specimens and cell lines were detected by real-time PCR. The correlation among ZFPM2-AS1 and miR-3612 were disclosed by a dual-luciferase reporter assay, RIP assay and biotin pull-down assay.Results: In present study, we found that ZFPM2-AS1 was up-regulated in HCC tissues and cells and its upregulation was associated with TNM stage, vascular invasion, and poor prognosis of HCC patients. Functionally, gain- and loss-of-function experiments indicated that ZFPM2-AS1 promoted cell migration, invasion and EMT progress in vitro and in vivo. ZFPM2-AS1 could function as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by sponging miR-3612 in HCC cells. Mechanically, miR-3612 inhibited HCC metastasis and alternation of miR-3612 reversed the promotive effects of ZFPM2-AS1 on HCC cells. In addition, we confirmed that ADAM15 was a direct target of miR-3612 in HCC and mediated the biological effects of miR-3612 and ZFPM2-AS1 in HCC. Curcumin, an active derivative from turmeric, exerts its anticancer effects through ZFPM2-AS1/miR-3612/ADAM15 pathway. Our data identified ZFPM2-AS1 as a novel oncogenic lncRNA and correlated malignant clinical outcomes in HCC patients. Conclusions: ZFPM2-AS1 performed as oncogenic role via targeting miR-3612 and subsequently promoted ADAM15 expression in HCC. Our results revealed that ZFPM2-AS1 could be a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.

Long non-coding RNA MALAT1 regulated ATAD2 to facilitate retinoblastoma progression by sponging miR-655-3p

10.21203/rs.3.rs-15499/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yuxin Zhao ◽

Zhaoxia Wang ◽

Meili Gao ◽

Xuehong Wang ◽

Hui Feng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Cell Counting ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Western Blot Assay ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Non Coding Rna ◽

Long Non Coding Rna

Abstract Background: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) was reported as an oncogene in many tumors including retinoblastoma (RB). This research mainly focused on the functions and mechanism of MALAT1 in RB.Methods: The levels of MALAT1, microRNA-655-3p (miR-655-3p), and ATPase family AAA domain containing 2 (ATAD2) in RB tissues and cells were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The cell viability and apoptotic rate were monitored via cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The protein levels of p21, CyclinD1, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), cleaved-casp-3, E-cadherin, Ncadherin, Vimentin, and ATAD2 were detected by Western blot assay. Transwell assay was performed to estimate the abilities of migration and invasion. The interactions between miR-655-3p and MALAT1 or ATAD2 were predicted by starBase. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was constructed to verify these interactions. The mice model experiments were established to validate the effects of MALAT1 in vivo.Results: MALAT1and ATAD2 were significantly increased while the level of miR-655-3p was remarkably decreased in RB tissues and cells. MALAT1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, metastasis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) but promoted apoptosis via miR-655-3p in vitro, and blocked xenograft tumor growth in vivo. MALAT1 was validated to sponge miR-655-3p and ATAD2 was verified as a candidate of miR-655-3p. MiR-655-3p overexpression inhibited cell proliferation but promoted apoptosis by targeting ATAD2. MALAT1 silencing affected cell behaviors by regulating ATAD2. MALAT1 depletion down-regulated ATAD2 expression via miR-655-3p in RB cells.Conclusion: MALAT1 positively regulated ATAD2 to accelerate cell proliferation but retard apoptosis by sponging miR-655-3p in RB cells.

microRNA-802 inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition through targeting flotillin-2 in human prostate cancer

Bioscience Reports ◽

10.1042/bsr20160521 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Dawei Wang ◽

Guoliang Lu ◽

Yuan Shao ◽

Da Xu

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Cell Apoptosis ◽

Xenograft Model ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Mesenchymal Transition

miRNAs are a class of non-coding RNAs that exert critical roles in various biological processes. The aim of the present study was to identify the functional roles of miR-802 in regulating epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in prostate cancer (PCa). miR-802 expression was detected in 73 pairs of PCa samples and PCa cell lines (PC3 and DU145 cells) by qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation was detected using MTT assay, and cell apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry. Transwell assay was conducted to investigate cell migration and invasion. Expression analysis of a set of EMT markers was performed to explore whether miR-802 is involved in EMT program. Xenograft model was established to investigate the function of miR-802 in carcinogenesis in vivo. The direct regulation of Flotillin-2 (Flot2) by miR-802 was identified using luciferase reporter assay. miR-802 was remarkably down-regulated in PCa tissues and cell lines. Gain-of-function trails showed that miR-802 serves as an ‘oncosuppressor’ in PCa through inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting cell apoptosis in vitro. Overexpression of miR-802 significantly suppressed in vivo PCa tumor growth. Luciferase reporter analysis identified Flot2 as a direct target of miR-802 in PCa cells. Overexpressed miR-802 significantly suppressed EMT, migration and invasion in PCa cells by regulating Flot2. We identified miR-802 as a novel tumor suppressor in PCa progression and elucidated a novel mechanism of the miR-802/Flot2 axis in the regulation of EMT, which may be a potential therapeutic target.

Hypoxia-Regulated miR-146a Targets Cell Adhesion Molecule 2 to Promote Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry ◽

10.1159/000493224 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 49 (3) ◽

pp. 920-931 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Long Yang ◽

Guangning Zhao ◽

Fan Wang ◽

Chunchang Li ◽

Xiangzhong Wang

Keyword(s):

Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Renal Cell ◽

Clear Cell ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Reporter Assay ◽

Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽

Promote Cell Proliferation

Background/Aims: miR-146a has recently been shown to promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in many cancers, but the role of miR-146a in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains unclear. Methods: Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to investigate the mRNA expression of miR-146a and CADM2 in ccRCC tissues. The luciferase reporter assay, Western blotting, and ChIP assay were carried out to explore the promoter and the transcription factor of miR-146a. Moreover, the effect of miR-146a and CADM2 on ccRCC cells was explored using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium, colony formation, and migration and invasion assays. The luciferase reporter assay, RT-qPCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence assay were carried out to investigate whether CADM2 is directly regulated by miR-146a. A tumor xenograft model and immunohistochemical staining were used to examine the carcinogenic effect of miR-146a and CADM2 in vivo. Results: miR-146a has been shown to promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Here, we found that miR-146a is highly expressed in ccRCC tissues, whereas CADM2 is down-regulated. Hypoxia can induce the expression of miR-146a by stimulating its promoter. In addition, we demonstrated that miR-146a promoted and CADM2 inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of ccRCC cells. The 3’ untranslated region (UTR) luciferase reporter assay identified that miR-146a targeted the 3’ UTR of CADM2 and negatively regulated its expression. Ectopic expression of CADM2 counteracted the promoting effect of miR-146a on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and the epithelial–mesenchymal transition process. Conclusion: Together, the finding of down-regulation of CADM2 by miR-146a can provide new insights into ccRCC pathogenesis and might contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Long Noncoding RNA SNHG16 Functions as Tumor Activator by Sponging hsa-miR-373-3p to Regulate TGFBR2/SMAD Pathway in Prostate Cancer

10.21203/rs.3.rs-105331/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

WuBin Weng ◽

ChangMing Liu ◽

GuoMin Li ◽

QiongFang Ruan ◽

HuiZhang Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Gleason Score ◽

Cell Apoptosis ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Reporter Assay ◽

Smad3 Expression ◽

Abstract Background: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are one of the major causes of tumorigenesis. However, the roles and mechanisms of lncRNA SNHG16 in prostate cancer (PCa) remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms of lncRNA SNHG16 in the proliferation and metastasis of human PCa cells.Material and Methods: First, the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to measure SNHG16 expression in PCa tissues and adjacent normal tissues (n=80). Down-regulate and over-express SNHG16 in human PCa DU-145 cell. Then cell proliferation was detected by CCK8 assay, cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry, cell migration were determined by wound healing, and cell invasion was examined by transwell. Western blot assays were used to examine the expression of the TGFBR2, c-MYC, E2F4, SMAD2, p-SMAD2, SMAD3, and p-SMAD3. Second, the targeting relationship between SNHG16 and hsa-miR-373-3p was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay and rescue experiments. Third, the targeting relationship between hsa-miR-373-3p and TGFBR2 was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay and rescue experiments. Results: The expression of SNHG16 was significant increase in PCa tissues (Z=-8.405, P<0.001), and with significant correlation with patient's age (<60 and ≥60 years old, P=0.007). Silencing SNHG16 inhibited DU-145 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while induced cell apoptosis significantly (P<0.01, respectively). Overexpressing SNHG16 promoted cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and reduced cell apoptosis rate (P<0.05, respectively). SNHG16 overexpression observably increased TGFBR2, c-MYC, E2F4, p-SMAD2, and p-SMAD3 expression (P<0.001, respectively), but SNHG16 inhibition was opposite. However, SNHG16 did not regulate SMAD2 and SMAD3 expression. Next, hsa-miR-373-3p was found down-regulated in PCa tissues (Z=-8.344, P<0.001), and the down-regulation of hsa-miR-373-3p were closely linked to Gleason score (Gleason score: <7 and >7, P = 0.024). Hsa-miR-373-3p expression of hsa-miR-373-3p was negatively correlated with SNHG16 (r=-0.544, P<0.001). The result of dual-luciferase reporter assay and qPCR test revealed that hsa-miR-373-3p was a target of SNHG16. Hsa-mir-373-3p inhibitor could rescue sh-SNHG16-inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion by promoting TGFBR2, C-MYC, E2F4, P-Smad2, and P-smad3 expression. Finally, we found that TGFBR2 may be the target gene of hsa-mir-373-3p through TargetScan and starbase. Further research found that TGFBR2 was markedly up-regulated in PCa tissues (Z=-5.945, P<0.001), and the expression of TGFBR2 was negatively correlated with hsa-miR-373-3p (r=-0.627, P<0.001). Dual-luciferase reporter assay and qPCR test showed that TGFBR2 was a target of hsa-miR-373-3p. TGFBR2 knockdown could inhibit hsa-mir-373-3p inhibitor-induced cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and reversed the effect of hsa-mir-373-3p inhibitor on cell apoptosis. Based on the data, sh-TGFBR2 partially disabled hsa-mir-373-3p inhibitor effect. Conclusion: LncRNA SNHG16 might act as a ceRNA to regulate the proliferation and migration of DU-145 cells by modulating the hsa-miR-373-3p/TGFBR2/SMAD axis.