LncRNA SNHG12 promotes the malignant progression of melanoma by targeting miR-199b

BACKGROUND: Melanoma is a type of tumor caused by the malignant transformation of melanocytes, and has a high degree of malignancy. Small nucleolar RNA host gene 12 (SNHG12) plays an important role in a variety of cancers, but its role in melanoma and its mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we measured the expression of SNHG12 and explored the molecular mechanisms involved in melanoma. METHODS: We detected the expression level of SNHG12 in melanoma cell lines, and explored the effect of SNHG12 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of melanoma cells in vitro. Mechanistic studies explored the regulation of downstream genes by SNHG12. RESULTS: Overexpression of SNHG12 was found in melanoma cell lines, and SNHG12 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of melanoma cells. MiR-199b is a target gene of SNHG12, which was expressed at low levels in melanoma cell lines, and SNHG12 regulated melanoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through miR-199b. We also revealed that SNHG12 promoted the expression of the target genes of miR-199b, namely ETS1, PXN, JAG1, and DDR1. CONCLUSIONS: SNHG12 is highly expressed in melanoma, and promotes the expression of ETS1, PXN, JAG1, and DDR1 through targeted regulation of miR-199b, thereby promoting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of melanoma cells.