Small nucleolar RNA host gene 9 (SNHG9)

Small nucleolar RNA host gene 9 (SNHG9) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) involved in the regulation of diverse cellular processes, predominantly cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, primarily in the context of cancer. SNHG9 is not a protein-coding gene and does not represent a classical therapeutic target such as a receptor, enzyme, or transporter. Instead, SNHG9 functions at the epigenetic and post-transcriptional levels, promoting tumorigenesis via mechanisms including DNA methylation (by recruiting DNA methyltransferases to target promoters, such as GSTP1) and acting as a molecular sponge for oncogenic or tumor suppressor microRNAs (e.g., miR-23a-5p, miR-214-5p), thereby impacting downstream signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin. SNHG9 plays opposing roles depending on tissue context; it behaves as an oncogene in several cancers (e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma, hepatoblastoma), but may exhibit tumor suppressor features in ovarian cancer. Additionally, SNHG9 is implicated in the regulation of intestinal lipid metabolism and obesity susceptibility in murine models, acting via regulation of the PPARγ pathway. SNHG9 is currently studied as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker rather than a direct therapeutic target, and there are no drugs known to act on SNHG9 itself[1][2][3][4][5].

Other names

DKFZp686N06141NCRNA00062non-protein coding RNA 62lncRNA SNHG9Snhg9 (murine gene symbol)

Not drug-targeted; biologically, acts via DNA methylation recruiting DNMTs (DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B); acts as a miRNA sponge/ceRNA; regulates gene expression (e.g., GSTP1, miR-23a-5p, Wnt3a)