Background:
Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common female
malignancies worldwide. An increasing body of evidence suggests that
circular RNAs (
circRNAs) participate in the pathogenesis of various
cancers, including CC. However, the expression profile and underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Methods: In this study, high throughput sequencing was applied to identify
circRNA in HPV-16 positive CC tissues. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to validate the expression in CC tissues and cell lines.
RNase R treatment, gel-electrophoresis, and
RNA fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to characterize the
circRNAs. Subsequently, the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay (CCK8), transwell and wound healing assays were performed to assess
circRNA function. Meanwhile, dual-
luciferase reporter and western blot were used to clarify the associated molecular mechanisms. Results: Circ0036602 was upregulated in HPV-16 positive CC and correlated with a poor prognosis. Moreover, circ0036602 expression significantly correlated with the clinicopathologic characteristics. Knockdown of circ0036602 inhibited CC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Further studies showed that circ0036602 could bind to miR-34-5p and miR-431-5p to regulate the expression of the target gene
HMGB1. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings suggest that circ0036602 is a
tumor-promoting
circRNA that promotes CC cells by sponging miR-34-5p and miR-431-5p to regulate
HMGB1. Circ0036602 has huge prospects as a potential therapeutic target for CC patients.