Circ_0031242 regulates the functional properties of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through the miR-944/MAD2L1 axis
Jianwei Lin1, Zenghai Lin1, Yaqiong Hua2 and Yan Chen2
1Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou and
2Department of Medicine, Shenzhen Letu Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Guangdong, China
Corresponding Author: Zenghai Lin, MM, Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 57, Changping Road, Shantou City, Guangdong Province, 515041, China. e-mail: jwlin3@126.com
Summary. Background. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) possess key functions in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nonetheless, the actions of individual circRNAs in HCC remain undefined.
Methods. circ_0031242, miR-944, and MAD2L1 expression were quantified by qRT-PCR. Transwell assay was utilized to examine cell invasion and migration. Glucose consumption and lactate production were measured to assess the impact on glycolysis. The relationships among circ_0031242, MAD2L1, and miR-944 were examined via luciferase reporter assay.
Results. circ_0031242 was notably augmented in HCC. Loss of function of circ_0031242 hindered cell proliferation, invasion, migration, glycolysis, and promoted apoptosis, as well as impeding HCC tumor growth. circ_0031242 directly targeted miR-944. Inhibition of miR-944 counteracted the effects of si-circ_0031242 on HCC cells. Additionally, miR-944 was proved to directly target MAD2L1 in HCC cells. Moreover, the promotion of MAD2L1 was able to rescue the inhibition of high miR-944 expression on HCC cell progression. Meanwhile, circ_0031242 involved the post-transcriptional modulation of MAD2L1 through miR-944.
Conclusion. This study suggested that circ_0031242 regulated tumor cell progression and tumor growth through the miR-944/MAD2L1 axis in HCC. Histol Histopathol 38, 303-316 (2023)
Key words: circ_0031242, miR-944, MAD2L1, HCC, Cell progression, Glycolysis
DOI: 10.14670/HH-18-519
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ŠThe Author(s) 2023. Open Access. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons CC-BY International License. |
