UCSF

The long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) SNHG7 (small nuclear RNA host gene 7) is a new type of lncRNA, whose function as an oncogene has been studies. However, the role of SNHG7 in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains to be revealed. In this study, the expression data of SNHG7 in AD brains (n=7) and normal brains (n = 5) were collected and calculated. The results indicated that low SNHG7 level in AD was correlated with high expressed microRNA-34a (miR 34a), and the decreased expression of Bcl2 (B-cell lymphoma 2), a target of miR-34a. Moreover, previous studies have shown that miR-34a and Bcl2 are involved into the development and progression of AD. Bioinformatic analysis predicted that SNHG7 has miR-34a binding sites. Therefore, it suggests that SNHG7 may regulate neuronal survive in AD brain through miR-34a/Bcl2 axis. In addition, miR-34a may regulate post-transcriptionally estimated hundred mRNAs. Using several bioinformatics tools, we can predict the regulatory pathways that SNHG7 participates in through miR-34a and its targets in AD. These findings indicate that the down-regulated lncRNA SNHG7 in AD may reduce the inhibition of miR-34s’ function, then increase its function and decrease miR-34a target signals, thereby joining in the regulatory network of AD.