SNHG5 promotes colorectal cancer cell survival by counteracting STAU1-mediated mRNA destabilization

Nkerorema Djodji Damas, Michela Marcatti, Christophe Côme, Lise-Lotte Christensen, Morten Muhlig Nielsen, Roland Baumgartner, Helene Maria Gylling, Giulia Maglieri, Carsten Friis Rundsten, Ernst Stefan Seemann, Nicolas Rapin, Simon Thézenas, Søren Vang, Torben Ørntoft, Claus Lindbjerg Andersen, Jakob Skou Pedersen, Anders H Lund

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Abstract

We currently have limited knowledge of the involvement of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in normal cellular processes and pathologies. Here, we identify and characterize SNHG5 as a stable cytoplasmic lncRNA with up-regulated expression in colorectal cancer. Depletion of SNHG5 induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro and limits tumour outgrowth in vivo, whereas SNHG5 overexpression counteracts oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis. Using an unbiased approach, we identify 121 transcript sites interacting with SNHG5 in the cytoplasm. Importantly, knockdown of key SNHG5 target transcripts, including SPATS2, induces apoptosis and thus mimics the effect seen following SNHG5 depletion. Mechanistically, we suggest that SNHG5 stabilizes the target transcripts by blocking their degradation by STAU1. Accordingly, depletion of STAU1 rescues the apoptosis induced after SNHG5 knockdown. Hence, we characterize SNHG5 as a lncRNA promoting tumour cell survival in colorectal cancer and delineate a novel mechanism in which a cytoplasmic lncRNA functions through blocking the action of STAU1.

Original languageEnglish
Article number13875
JournalNature Communications
Volume7
Number of pages14
ISSN2041-1723
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Dec 2016

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