Circular RNA Circ_0008043 promotes the proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating the microRNA (miR)-326/RAB21 axis.

Abstract

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are non-coding RNAs with covalently closed structures that modulate the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we explored whether circ_0008043 regulated the biological function of HCC cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect circ_0008043, microRNA (miR)-326, and RAB21 levels. Expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin was assessed using qPCR. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were evaluated using 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, colony formation, and transwell assays. Xenograft tumors were used to evaluate cell growth in vivo. The interaction between miR-326 and circ_0008043 or RAB21 was assessed using dual-luciferase reporter analysis and RNA pull-down analysis. The data illustrated that circ_0008043 and RAB21 were highly expressed, while miR-326 was expressed at less levels in HCC tissues and cells. Interfering with circ_0008043 suppressed cellular proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell growth. Circ_0008043 was confirmed to be an miR-326 sponge that targets RAB21. Rescue experiments showed that inhibiting miR-326 abrogated the effect induced by knockdown of circ_0008043, and overexpressed RAB21 abolished the effect induced by miR-326 overexpression. In summary, silencing of circ_0008043 impeded HCC progression by regulating the miR-326/RAB21 axis. These data suggest that circ_0008043 may have clinical value in the treatment of HCC.

• Authors: Kangjun Zhang, Taishi Fang, Dong Zhao, Fulan Cen, Xu Yan, Xin Jin
• Journal: Bioengineered (Bioengineered) Vol. 13 Issue 3 Pg. 6600-6614 (03 2022) ISSN: 2165-5987 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 35220907 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• MIRN326 microRNA, human
• MicroRNAs
• RNA, Circular
• RAB21 protein, human
• rab GTP-Binding Proteins

Topics

• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Cell Proliferation (genetics)
• Female
• Humans
• Liver Neoplasms (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Male
• MicroRNAs (genetics)
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Metastasis (genetics)
• RNA, Circular (genetics)
• rab GTP-Binding Proteins (genetics)