ZRANB2/SNHG20/FOXK1 Axis regulates Vasculogenic mimicry formation in glioma

BACKGROUND: Glioma is the most common intracranial neoplasm with vasculogenic mimicry formation as one form of blood supply. Many RNA-binding proteins and long non-coding RNAs are involved in tumorigenesis of glioma. METHODS: The expression of ZRANB2, SNHG20 and FOXK1 in glioma were detected by real-time PCR or western blot. The function of ZRANB2/SNHG20/FOXK1 axis in glioma associated with vasculogenic mimicry formation was analyzed. RESULTS: ZRANB2 is up-regulated in glioma tissues and glioma cells. ZRANB2 knockdown inhibits the proliferation, migration, invasion and vasculogenic mimicry formation of glioma cells. ZRANB2 binds to SNHG20 and increases its stability. Knockdown of SNHG20 reduces the degradation of FOXK1 mRNA by SMD pathway. FOXK1 inhibits transcription by binding to the promoters of MMP1, MMP9 and VE-Cadherin and inhibits vasculogenic mimicry formation of glioma cells. CONCLUSIONS: ZRANB2/SNHG20/FOXK1 axis plays an important role in regulating vasculogenic mimicry formation of glioma, which might provide new targets of glioma therapy. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1073-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.