Retracted Article: SNHG3 promotes proliferation and invasion by regulating the miR-101/ZEB1 axis in breast cancer
Authors: Zhuang Hu
Zhenyu Zhou
Liang Chang
Hui Zhang
Journal: RSC Advances (2018)
Discipline: CHEMISTRY
Keywords: lncRNA; SNHG3; breast cancer; miR-101; ZEB1
Affiliations: Department of Thyroid Breast Surgery, Huaihe Hospital of Henan University, Kaifeng, China, Department of Gastroenterology

Abstract:  Background: Dysregulated lncRNA expression contributes to the pathogenesis of human tumors via the lncRNAs functioning as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Small nucleolar RNA host gene 3 (SNHG3) was demonstrated to be upregulated in breast cancer cells. However, the detailed roles and molecular mechanism of SNHG3 in breast cancer are largely unknown. Methods: The expression of SNHG3, miR-101, and zinc finger E-box-binding protein 1 (ZEB1) in breast cancer tissues and cells was detected using qRT-PCR. The effects of SNHG3 on cell proliferation and invasion were evaluated using MTT, EdU, and cell invasion assays. The protein levels of Ki-67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), matrix metalloproteinase MMP-2, and MMP-9 were analyzed using western blot analysis. A luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) were performed to explore the interaction between SNHG3, ZEB1 and miR-101. A subcellular fractionation assay was used to detect the subcellular location of SNHG3. Xenograft tumor experiments were conducted to verify the role and mechanism of SNHG3 in breast cancer in vivo. Results: SNHG3 expression was upregulated in breast cancer tissues and correlated with poor prognosis. SNHG3 knockdown suppressed breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion, which was further demonstrated by high levels of proliferation marker proteins Ki-67/PCNA and metastasis-related proteins MMP-2/MMP-9. Additionally, SNHG3 was located in the cytoplasm of breast cancer cells. SNHG3 functioned as a molecular sponge for miR-101 in breast cancer cells. miR-101 was downregulated in breast cancer tissues and negatively correlated with SNHG3 expression. Moreover, ZEB1, a target of miR-101, was positively regulated by SNHG3 in breast cancer cells. ZEB1 mRNA expression was upregulated in breast cancer tissues and positively correlated with SNHG3 expression. Mechanistically, SNHG3 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation and invasion by upregulation of miR-101 and downregulation of ZEB1 expression in breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: SNHG3 promoted proliferation and invasion by regulating the miR-101/ZEB1 axis in breast cancer. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Retraction, January 2021. https: pubs.rsc.org en content articlelanding 2021 ra d1ra90025k#!divAbstract  The Royal Society of Chemistry hereby wholly retracts this RSC Advances article due to concerns with the reliability of the data. The images in the article were screened by an image integrity expert. A section of the si-con image (blue cells only) in Fig. 2E is duplicated in the si-con image in Fig. 2F, but the images are presented at different magnifications and have been flipped vertically. These figures represent different experiments. The authors were asked to provide the raw data for this article, but did not respond. Given the significance of the concerns about the validity of the data, and the lack of raw data, the findings presented in this paper are not reliable. The authors have been informed but have not responded to any correspondence regarding the retraction. Signed: Laura Fisher, Executive Editor, RSC Advances Date: 7th January 2021 Here is a marked version of Figures 2E and 2F, with the duplicated area (blue cells only) marked with yellow boxes. I was not involved in the image analysis, just doing a post mortem. ![file] The Western blot bands in this paper look unrealistic as well. ,