Affiliation:
1. Department of General Surgery, Xianyang Hospital, Yan’an University, Xianyang 712000, Shaanxi
Province, China
2. Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an710077, Shaanxi
Province, China
Abstract
Background:
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) exert an important regulatory effect on cancer
progression. Reportedly, circRNAs can modulate gene expression by working as molecular sponges
for miRNAs. Nonetheless, many functional circRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain to
be identified. This study aimed to explore the role of hsa_circ_0006789 (circ_0006789) in HCC.
Methods:
The expression profile of circRNAs in HCC tumor tissues was analyzed using circRNA
microarray data. Circ_0006789 expression in HCC tissues and cell lines was examined by qPCR.
After circ_0006789 was overexpressed or knocked down in HCC cell lines, HCC cell growth,
migration and invasion were evaluated by the CCK-8 method and Transwell experiment. RIP assay,
RNA pull-down assay, dual-luciferase reporter experiment and Western blotting were adopted to
investigate the regulatory mechanism among circ_0006789, microRNA (miR)-1324 and SRY (sex
determining region Y)-box 12 (SOX12).
Results:
Circ_0006789 was overexpressed in HCC tissues and cell lines. Circ_0006789
overexpression accelerated the growth, migration and invasion of HCC cells, while knockdown of
circ_0006789 exerted the opposite effects. miR-1324 was confirmed as a target of circ_0006789,
and miR-1324 targeted SOX12 to suppress its expression. Circ_0006789 could promote SOX12
expression by sponging miR-1324.
Conclusion:
Circ_0006789 modulates the growth, migration and invasion of HCC cells by
regulating miR-1324/SOX12 axis.
Funder
General Special Scientific Research Plan Project of Shaanxi Provincial Department of Education
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Subject
Biochemistry,General Medicine,Structural Biology