Circ_0064288 acts as an oncogene of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by inhibiting miR-335-5p expression and promoting ROCK1 expression.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Reportedly, circular RNA (circRNA) is a key modulator in the development of human malignancies. This work is aimed to probe the expression pattern, biological effects and mechanism of circ_0064288 on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression.

METHODS:

The differentially expressed circRNA was screened by analyzing the expression profiles of circRNAs in HCC tissues and normal tissues. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to examine the expression of circ_0064288, miR-335-5p and Rho associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) mRNA in HCC specimens. After circ_0064288 was overexpressed or knocked down in HCC cells, cell growth was detected by the CCK-8 experiment, and cell migration was evaluated using Transwell experiment and scratch healing experiment. The targeting relationship between miR-335-5p and circ_0064288 and ROCK1 mRNA was predicted and verified using bioinformatic analysis and dual-luciferase reporter gene experiments, respectively. Western blot was executed to examine ROCK1 protein expression in HCC cells.

RESULTS:

Circ_0064288 and ROCK1 expression was up-modulated in HCC, while miR-335-5p was down-modulated. High circ_0064288 expression was associated with shorter survival time of HCC patients. It was also revealed that circ_0064288 overexpression remarkably enhanced HCC cell growth and migration, while knockdown of circ_0064288 induced opposite effects. Additionally, circ_0064288 could competitively bind with miR-335-5p thereby up-modulate ROCK1 expression. MiR-335-5p overexpression partly counteracted the effect of circ_0064288 overexpression on HCC cells.

CONCLUSION:

Circ_0064288 facilitates HCC cell growth and migration by modulating the miR-335-5p/ROCK1 axis.

• Authors: Yingying Nie, Xuedan Zhu, Nan Bu, Yang Jiang, Yue Su, Keming Pan, Shanshan Li
• Journal: BMC cancer (BMC Cancer) Vol. 22 Issue 1 Pg. 265 (Mar 14 2022) ISSN: 1471-2407 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 35287604 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2022. The Author(s).

Chemical References

• MIRN335 microRNA, human
• MicroRNAs
• RNA, Circular
• ROCK1 protein, human
• rho-Associated Kinases

Topics

• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (genetics)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic (genetics)
• Humans
• Liver Neoplasms (genetics)
• MicroRNAs (metabolism)
• Oncogenes (genetics)
• RNA, Circular (metabolism)
• Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
• rho-Associated Kinases (metabolism)